Penne with Roasted Tomatoes and Mozzarella

By Caitie

A light, fresh pasta dish with fresh mozzarella and flavorful roasted cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 13.25 oz box of penne
• 6 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes (or a container of mozzarella pearls, drained)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400.
Toss tomatoes and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Place in an oven safe pan and bake for ~45 minutes, until the skins have wrinkled and the tomatoes have burst.
Cook pasta in salted water, according to package instructions.
Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water before draining the pasta.
Return pasta to the pot and add a few splashes of pasta water.
Add the mozzarella cubes and using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes and garlic to the pasta.
Lightly toss, top with chopped fresh basil, and serve.