Penne Caprese... A Yummy Pasta Dish

Happy Monday All! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. The melting has started here...yipee!

I have a confession to make... I am such a foodie. 

I love trying new foods, cooking new recipes, and oh my word the kitchen gadgets. I can not be trusted when I get around those glorious gadgets...lol.  

Here is a little proof of what a foodie I am, the first thing the Hubby and I do when vacationing is check out all the local restaurants & kitchen stores. We love to eat local wherever we travel to get a flavor of the region. I also need to check out the stores if there is any new gadget that I have not seen before. I know, it is a sickness. Best part I have a Hubby who indulges me... yes I was blessed with a winner!

So what can I contribute this foodie addiction to? Maybe it's because I am Italian and food being such a part of my world growing up. All major decisions, family celebrations, and hard times were discussed around the kitchen table usually with plate of food. When it came to family parties or casual get togethers the menu was the first thing we planned. Food was the center of our world.

I guess you can say we show our love through food. 

In my never-ending search of recipes I came across this little doozy. Penne Caprese. This is such a light pasta dish. It can be served warm or at room temperature. I can not wait for the summer tomatoes as it will only make this recipe even better.

Here is how to make this simple scrumptious pasta dish.

Ingredients 

• 1 lb Penne pasta 
• 1/3 cup olive oil 
• 2 cloves garlic (or use can use garlic powder)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes 
• 10 oz fresh mozzarella balls 
• 1 tsp kosher salt 
• 1 tsp fresh or dried basil 
• 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions 

Cook pasta according to directions on the box. Meanwhile heat oil over medium heat and grate in garlic (if using fresh garlic). 

As the oil is heating up, cut tomatoes in half.

Once you add the pasta to the boiling water, then add tomatoes to the oil. 

In about 10 minutes the tomatoes will start releasing their juices and soften. If using garlic powder you can add it in at this point.

Add mozzarella balls just before you add the cooked pasta. 

Season with basil and salt and add pasta. 

Reserve a little cooking water, if the pasta looks too dry you can add the pasta water in.

Mix well and ENJOY!

 This will definitely be a menu item on our list for summer dinner dishes!

Have a great day!

Sharing with the following:
Refresh Restyle – Inspiration Monday
Cozy Little House – Tweak it Tuesday
MsMoozys Open House – Tuesday with a Twist
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday
The Cottage Market – Junkin Joe