Prep time: 7 minutes         Cook time: 30minutesorless           Serves: 2-3 people

Ingredients

• 225g dried pasta
• 75 – 150g fresh mozzarella, drained
• 500 – 600g fresh tomatoes
• 60 ml olive oil
• 250 ml tomato puree (passata)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 20g fresh basil leaves
• 60 ml heavy cream (optional, to taste)

Cooking Steps

1.Preparation: Fill a pot with plenty of water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the other ingredients. Wash the fresh tomatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Chop the mozzarella balls with a knife or tear them into small, bite-sized pieces by hand.

2.Cook the Pasta: Once the water is at a rolling boil, slowly add the pasta to the pot. Cooking times vary significantly depending on the shape and type of pasta, so be sure to check the package instructions carefully. When the pasta is cooked al dente (just cooked through), drain it using a colander and quickly return it to the pot.

3.Mix and Season: In the pot with the pasta, pour in 60 ml of olive oil. If you choose to add heavy cream, add it now as well. Stir well with chopsticks or a spatula to ensure every strand of pasta is evenly coated with oil and cream (if added). Next, gently add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and mix with the pasta. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add half of the fresh basil leaves and continue to stir until well combined. Finally, add the chopped or torn mozzarella to the pot and stir gently a few times. Be careful not to overmix, to prevent the cheese from melting too much at this stage.

4.Bake: Carefully transfer the mixture of pasta, sauce, tomatoes, cheese, and herbs into an oven-safe baking dish. You can set it aside to bake later, or bake immediately. Preheat the oven to 370°F (approximately 190°C). Place the baking dish with the pasta into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Keep a close eye on it; when the cheese on top is bubbly and the top of the pasta is golden brown, remove it from the oven.

5.Enjoy: After removing the baking dish from the oven, sprinkle the remaining fresh basil leaves over the pasta. A fragrant and delicious pasta is now ready to serve!Come and cook with me!