Blistered Cherry Tomato Pasta with Mozzarella Balls
This Blistered Cherry Tomato Pasta is a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner that turns sweet summer tomatoes into a jammy, garlicky sauce tossed with al dente pasta and creamy mozzarella balls.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 358kcal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 shallot sliced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup basil chiffonade
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter optional
- ½ cup mozzarella balls
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring gently, until the garlic is fragrant and golden.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and let them cook undisturbed for 5–7 minutes, until blistered and starting to burst. Stir occasionally. Lightly mash a few of the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon to encourage a sauce. Toss in the basil.
- Add the cooked pasta and a tablespoon of butter to the skillet on a low simmer, tossing gently with the tomato mixture. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and stir in the mozzarella balls. They’ll soften slightly in the heat but stay creamy. Top with torn basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and more chili pepper flakes just before serving. Optionally, served with grilled chicken or shrimp for more protein.
Notes
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently: In a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or olive oil to keep the pasta from drying out.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 29mg | Potassium: 411mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 759IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg
