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Pasta with Tomatoes and Mozzarella




Source of Recipe


All You, 9/28/07






List of Ingredients



• 1 lb bow-tie pasta
  
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, each cut in half
  
• 1/2 cup prepared pesto
  
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into pieces
  
• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
• salt and pepper
  
• 1/2 cup torn fresh basil
  
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  






Instructions



1. Prepare pasta according to package directions, undercooking by 1 minute. Drain pasta and return to pot. Add tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
   
2. Mix well, cover and set aside off heat until cheese has started to melt, about 2 minutes. Stir in basil and Parmesan. Serve immediately.
   






Final Comments


Serves: 4

*Add ingredients. Stir in cooked chopped sausage, chicken breast or ham. Toss in green peas or sauteed zucchini or yellow squash.

*Use another pasta. Any short pasta shape will work well with this dish. Try penne, fusilli or orecchiette ("little ears" in Italian).

*Indulge in the sauce. To make this dish a decadent treat, stir a bit of heavy cream into the pesto before tossing it with the pasts. Or try plain yogurt thinned with a little milk if you'd like it creamy but you're concerned about the extra fat and calories.

*Up the fiber. Boost the meal's fiber and vitamin content with whole-wheat pasta. If your family balks at the whole-wheat variety, try a blend of whole-wheat and regular pasta.