Description
Orecchiette with Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil Pesto is a delightful dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite. This vibrant recipe features tender orecchiette pasta coated in a luscious basil pesto, complemented by juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy mozzarella. Perfect for warm evenings or casual gatherings, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also impresses with its fresh flavors. In just 30 minutes, you can create a satisfying meal that’s versatile enough to serve warm as a main course or chilled as a refreshing pasta salad. Elevate your dining experience with this quick and delicious recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 lb. orecchiette pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 lb. cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto, plus more to taste
- 1/2 lb. ciliegene mozzarella
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the orecchiette in salted boiling water until al dente (about 9 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid and drain the rest.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over high heat and sauté cherry tomatoes for about 30 seconds until soft.
- Add the drained pasta and basil pesto to the skillet, stirring to combine for about 1 minute.
- Incorporate mozzarella balls and fresh basil before removing from heat.
- Serve in bowls with an optional sprinkle of fresh cracked black pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 30mg