Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Italy! This mouthwatering Tomato and Mozzarella Sauce with Penne and Pine Nuts is not just a meal—it's a symphony of flavors that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine. With its perfect balance of creamy mozzarella, rich tomato sauce, and crunchy toasted pine nuts, this recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort dish that looks like it was crafted by a professional chef.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 250g penne pasta
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet with the garlic. Reduce heat to low-medium and simmer the sauce for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toast the pine nuts in a separate dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat once they are golden brown and fragrant.
- Drain the cooked pasta in a colander, reserving a small cup of pasta water in case you need to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the tomato sauce in the skillet. Gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Sprinkle cubed mozzarella cheese over the pasta and sauce. Cover the skillet and let the cheese slightly melt for 1-2 minutes.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir gently to distribute the melted cheese.
- Transfer the pasta to serving plates and top with the toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Salt Your Pasta Water: The key to flavorful pasta starts with well-salted boiling water. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of salt per large pot.
- Al Dente is Key: Watch your pasta closely and test it a minute before the package instructions suggest. Al dente pasta has a slight firmness and absorbs sauce beautifully.
- Pine Nut Pro Tip: Toast pine nuts carefully—they burn quickly! Keep them moving in the pan and watch for a golden color.
- Cheese Melting Hack: For perfectly melted mozzarella, cover the skillet and let it sit for a minute, allowing gentle heat to create those irresistible cheese pulls.
- Sauce Consistency Trick: If your sauce seems too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it out and help the sauce coat the pasta evenly.
- Fresh is Best: For an extra flavor boost, consider adding fresh basil leaves just before serving for a burst of aromatic freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 35mg
