So here’s what happened…
We had a tremendous tomato haul. In one day. One day, y’all. Oh, but there was more…
I couldn’t just let those tomatoes sit there. Unloved. Uneaten. And I didn’t want to just slice them, salt & pepper them either. So I threw together some on-hand ingredients and had myself an easy, summer supper. Warning: if you don’t like the flavor of raw tomatoes, basil or sweet onion – this isn’t a recipe for you. Yes, you may cook those things. But then it’s more complicated and more heat in the kitchen. As with all of life, you make the call.
By the way, I neglected to take many photos. Don’t hate me.
Here’s what you’ll need…
Pappardelle Pasta, Sweet Onion, Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Burrata (or other Fresh Mozzarella), Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper.
Boil water for the Pasta and cook until al dente.
While the water boils and the pasta cooks, finely dice the Sweet Onion. Cut the Basil into thin strips (or roughly chop – it’s up to you). Set both aside.
Remove stems from the Cherry Tomatoes and set aside.
Cut or tear the Burrata/Mozzarella into pieces and set aside.
Once the pasta is cooked, remove a ladle or two of the cooking water and place in a bowl. Set aside.
Drain the pasta. Throw the tomatoes into the cooking pot, then pour the cooked, drained pasta back into the pot. The heat from the pasta will soften the tomatoes. Add the prepared onion and basil to the pot, along with the cut/torn cheese. Pour about 1/4 cup Olive Oil over. Add salt and pepper to taste and toss. If the mixture is too dry, slowly add the reserved cooking water and mix until the desired consistency is reached. Serve.
If you have it, drizzle a bit of good olive oil over each serving. If you don’t, no worries.
That’s it! Super easy. Super fresh. Super good. Since you control the amounts of every little thing, this recipe can be made with very little oil. Just use extra pasta water instead. Don’t like raw, sweet onion? Cook it a bit before adding. Can’t find Burrata? Choose good Mozzarella instead. Really, this is a forgiving recipe, though I hesitate to call it a recipe at all. It’s just a bunch of fresh ingredients thrown together for a quick meal. And a glass of chilled wine ties it all together. Some nights that’s just what we need. That and nothing more.
Here’s the printable…
| Easy Summer Pasta |
- 1/4 lb. Pappardelle Pasta (or any Pasta you love)
- 1/2 Sweet Onion (Vidalias are my first choice, but any will do)
- 30 Cherry Tomatoes
- Fresh Basil (enough for 1/2 c. chopped)
- 4 oz. Burrata (or other Fresh Mozzarella)
- 1/4 c. Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Boil water for the Pasta and cook until al dente.
- While the water boils and the pasta cooks, finely dice the Sweet Onion. Cut the Basil into thin strips (or roughly chop – it’s up to you). Set both aside.
- Remove stems from the Cherry Tomatoes and set aside.
- Cut or tear the Burrata/Mozzarella into pieces and set aside.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove a ladle or two of the cooking water and place in a bowl. Set aside.
- Drain the pasta.
- Throw the tomatoes into the cooking pot, then pour the cooked, drained pasta back into the pot. The heat from the pasta will soften the tomatoes.
- Add the prepared onion and basil to the pot, along with the cut/torn cheese. Pour about 1/4 cup Olive Oil over. Add salt and pepper to taste and toss. If the mixture is too dry, slowly add the reserved cooking water and mix until the desired consistency is reached.
- Drizzle a bit of good Olive Oil over each portion and serve.
Super easy. Super fresh. Super good. Since you control the amounts of every little thing, this recipe can be made with very little oil. Just use extra pasta water instead.
Don’t like raw, sweet onion? Cook it a bit before adding. (But do bear in mind that cooking any of the added ingredients is an extra step and will add time – and kitchen heat – to this recipe.)
Can’t find Burrata? Choose good Mozzarella instead.
Really, this is a forgiving recipe, though I hesitate to call it a recipe at all. It’s just a bunch of fresh ingredients thrown together for a quick meal. And a glass of chilled wine ties it all together. Some nights that’s just what we need. That and nothing more.