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Isle of Pasta

VegetarianPastaItalian

Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

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About

Avast! Land ho! It's the Isle of Pasta! We can see the golden shores of tender pasta from here! And look! We sail up to bright tomatoes and melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella balls! And forests of fragrant basil! Yes, Isle of Pasta is the kind of home your taste buds will be happy to settle in! It an ocean of flavors (ironically).

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) package penne
  • 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  • 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 (16-ounce) small mozzarella balls or pearls
  • 1 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more, to taste, torn, for garnish
  • red pepper flakes, optional, to taste, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions.

Step 2 -Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water.

Step 3 -Add the cooked pasta back to the pot and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, tossing to combine.

Step 4 -In a large bowl, add the remaining olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, the grated garlic, the salt, and the pepper and whisk to combine.

Step 5 -Add the tomatoes and the mozzarella to the dressing mixture and toss to coat.

Step 6 -Let the tomatoes and the mozzarella marinate in the dressing mixture for 15 minutes.

Step 7 -Add the pasta to the tomato mixture, tossing to coat.

Step 8 -Add 1 cup of the chopped basil and stir to combine.

Step 9 -Serve garnished with the extra torn basil and the red pepper flakes.

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