Pasta tricolore

Tricolor pasta is a dish that celebrates the colors of the Italian flag: green, white, and red. Typically, ingredients that represent these colors are used and offer a pleasing contrast both visually and in flavors. Here is a basic recipe that you can customize according to your tastes:

Ingredients

• 500 g of pasta (preferably short such as butterflies or penne)
• 250 g of cherry tomatoes
• 200 g of mozzarella (or a similar spun curd cheese)
• A bunch of fresh basil
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• (Optional) Garlic, black olives, capers, or arugula to add additional flavor notes

Preparation

1. Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
2. Meanwhile, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Tear the basil with your hands to keep its aroma and cut the mozzarella into cubes.
3. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and, if you wish, lightly sauté a clove of garlic to flavor the oil. Then remove it.
4. Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for a few minutes. They should soften slightly but not fall apart.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the skillet with the tomatoes.
6. Add the mozzarella pieces and basil to the pasta and gently mix to combine the ingredients. The warmth of the pasta will help to slightly melt the cheese.
7. Adjust salt and pepper and plate.
8. (Optional) Garnish with additional basil leaves, black olives, capers, or arugula to taste.

If you wish to make a more complex version with homemade pasta, you could add spinach to the dough for the green and tomato or red bell pepper for the red, thus obtaining true tricolors already in the dough mixture.

Curiosity

Tricolor pasta is often served during Italian national holidays or sporting events, as a symbol of national pride. It is also a very popular first course among children for its bright colors.