Quick Pesto, Cherry Tomato & Mozzarella Pasta
Organising your weekly meals doesn’t mean sacrificing flavour or freshness. With just 10 minutes of preparation and 15-18 minutes of cooking, this delightful dish fits comfortably within a 30-minute total timeframe, offering a practical and delicious solution for even the busiest evenings. This recipe is designed to become a staple in your repertoire, a complete meal that perfectly balances carbohydrates, vegetables, and protein. Its simplicity and speed make it ideal when time is short but the desire for a home-cooked meal is high. It’s a prime example of how even minimal planning can transform into a satisfying, stress-free culinary experience.
Quick Overview
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 11.3 oz (320g) short pasta (e.g., fusilli, penne)
- 6.3 oz (180g) Genovese pesto (fresh or jarred)
- 8.8 oz (250g) cherry tomatoes
- 5.3 oz (150g) fresh mozzarella (fior di latte or bocconcini)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Fine salt, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Method
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half or quarters, depending on their size; drain the fresh mozzarella and cut it into 1-2 cm cubes.
- In a large bowl, combine the Genovese pesto, extra virgin olive oil, and chopped cherry tomatoes; stir gently to combine the flavours.
- Drain the pasta once al dente, reserving a ladleful of the cooking water; immediately transfer the drained pasta to the bowl with the pesto and cherry tomatoes.
- Add the cubed mozzarella and a couple of tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water, if needed, to create a creamier sauce; mix all the ingredients well until the pasta is uniformly coated.
Serving & Leftovers
Serve the pasta immediately, garnishing with fresh basil leaves if desired. This dish is excellent served warm, but it’s also delicious at room temperature. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.
One Last Thing
Adopting a structured approach to cooking, even for the simplest dishes, can truly transform your weeknight evenings. Developing a repertoire of reliable and quick recipes means you’ll always have a delicious solution readily available, free from the burden of last-minute decisions, enhancing spontaneity and allowing more enjoyment around the dinner table.