Fusilli with tomato and mozzarella is a simple yet delicious pasta dish that highlights the classic combination of ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic herbs. This recipe brings together fresh ingredients and marries them in a flavorful sauce that perfectly coats the spiraled fusilli pasta.
The dish begins by combining chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, diced mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, basil, anchovies, oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a serving bowl. This mixture is left to marinate for 1-3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and develop.
Next, the fusilli pasta is cooked until al dente in salted boiling water. Once cooked, the pasta is drained and added to the bowl with the tomato and mozzarella sauce. Toss everything together, ensuring that the pasta is thoroughly coated in the flavorful sauce.
Fusilli with tomato and mozzarella is best served immediately, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant colors, fresh flavors, and contrasting textures of this delightful pasta dish. It makes a satisfying main course or can be served as a side dish alongside grilled meats or a crisp green salad.
INGREDIENTS
- 1kg/21/2lb vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped
- 100g/4oz mozzarella cheese, diced
- 125ml/4fl oz extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 20 large fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
- 5 anchovy fillets in oil, drained and cut into small pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 450g/1lb dried fusilli
- Freshly ground black pepper
PREPARATION
- In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, diced mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, torn basil leaves, anchovy fillets, chopped oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Leave the mixture to marinate for 1-3 hours at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- In a large saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Drain the cooked pasta.
- Add the drained fusilli pasta to the bowl with the tomato and mozzarella sauce. Toss everything together, ensuring that the pasta is coated evenly in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve the fusilli with tomato and mozzarella immediately while it’s still warm. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and contrasting textures of this delicious pasta dish.
YIELD
This recipe serves 4 people.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
- If desired, you can garnish the dish with additional torn basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. You can add more salt, pepper, or herbs to enhance the flavors.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the anchovy fillets or substitute them with a vegetarian alternative such as capers or olives.
TIPS
- Choose ripe and flavorful vine-ripened tomatoes for the best results. If they are not available, you can use other varieties of ripe tomatoes that have a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
- To enhance the creaminess of the dish, you can use buffalo mozzarella or bocconcini instead of regular mozzarella.
- Feel free to customize the dish by adding additional ingredients such as grilled vegetables, sliced olives, or fresh cherry tomatoes for added texture and flavor.
Fusilli with tomato and mozzarella is a delightful pasta dish that showcases the vibrant flavors of ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant herbs. With its simple preparation and fresh ingredients, this recipe allows the natural flavors to shine through and create a satisfying and comforting meal.
The dish starts by marinating vine-ripened tomatoes, diced mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, basil, anchovies, oregano, salt, and pepper in a serving bowl. This step infuses the ingredients with a rich combination of flavors and allows them to meld together beautifully.
As the flavorful sauce marinates, the fusilli pasta is cooked until al dente in boiling salted water. The cooked pasta is then tossed in the bowl with the tomato and mozzarella sauce, ensuring that each piece of pasta is coated in the delicious mixture. The result is a harmonious combination of textures and tastes, with the sweet juiciness of the tomatoes and the creamy richness of the mozzarella complementing each other perfectly.
Fusilli with tomato and mozzarella is best served immediately, allowing you to enjoy the vibrant colors, fresh flavors, and contrasting textures of the dish. It can be served as a satisfying main course or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or a crisp green salad.
This recipe offers flexibility for customization. You can experiment with additional ingredients such as grilled vegetables, sliced olives, or fresh cherry tomatoes to add extra layers of flavor and texture to the dish. The versatility of fusilli with tomato and mozzarella makes it a great option for both casual weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this simple yet satisfying pasta dish and savor the combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic herbs. Fusilli with tomato and mozzarella is a classic combination that will never disappoint.
