Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta With Fresh Mozzarella

senseicheryl's Note:

This recipe was included in an email that I received from the www.cookscountry.com website: Bored with your usual pasta and red sauce? We were, so we came up with this simple spin in which fresh mozzarella tempers the heat of spicy chili flakes. Here’s what we discovered: Test Kitchen Discoveries Combine canned crushed and diced tomatoes for a rich flavor and thick texture. Flavor the sauce simply with red pepper flakes and minced garlic. Cook the pepper flakes along with the garlic in extra-virgin olive oil to intensify their flavor. Use fresh mini balls of mozzarella. If you can’t find the small balls, larger balls can be cut into small cubes. Low-moisture mozzarella, the shrink-wrapped stuff, won’t taste nearly as good in this dish. Liberally season the water in which the pasta is cooked; otherwise the pasta will taste bland. We recommend 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water. Look for fresh mini mozzarella balls in the gourmet cheese section of your supermarket.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 5 tablespoons fresh basil, roughly chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1 tablespoon table salt
• 1 lb fusilli or 1 lb campanelle pasta
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, drained and cut in half
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil, garlic and pepper flakes in medium saucepan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in crushed and diced tomatoes, bring to simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons basil, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, drain pasta, and transfer back to pot. Stir in sauce and remaining tablespoon oil, and cook over medium heat until heated through (adding reserved water if pasta seems dry), about 1 minute. Stir in mozzarella and season with salt. Serve, sprinkling with remaining 2 tablespoons basil and Parmesan.