Penne Mozzarella
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Penne Mozzarella, a crowd-pleasing Italian-inspired dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. This recipe combines al dente penne pasta with a rich, garlicky tomato sauce infused with aromatic oregano and optional chili flakes for a subtle kick. The star of the dish is the fresh mozzarella, melted just enough to create a luscious, creamy texture that stretches with every bite. Finished with a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese and fresh basil, this hearty meal is bursting with classic Mediterranean flavors. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, Penne Mozzarella is an irresistible blend of simplicity and sophistication, making it a go-to recipe for pasta lovers everywhere.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 500 grams crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 250 grams fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 10 grams fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 liters water for boiling pasta
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red chili flakes (if using). Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cubed mozzarella cheese, allowing it to melt slightly but not fully. This will give the sauce a creamy, stretchy texture.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil over the pasta. Gently toss again to combine.
Serve the Penne Mozzarella hot, garnished with additional basil and parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
495 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.6 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.8 g | 64% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 58 mg | 19% | |
| Sodium | 1157 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.5 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.5 g | ||
| Protein | 25.6 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 507 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 493 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
