Creamy tomato pesto pasta with mozzarella

This creamy tomato pesto pasta is a simple and flavorful dish, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The combination of tangy tomato sauce, aromatic pesto, and creamy mozzarella makes the pasta especially delicious. The recipe is straightforward and ready in no time.

Ingredients

• 300g pasta, for example penne or fusilli

• 250g cherry tomatoes

• 2. The green pesto

• 150 ml cooking cream

• 1 small onion

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 100 g Mozzarella

• 40 g grated Parmesan

• 1 tsp Italian herbs

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• some fresh basil for serving

preparation

1. Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta in a large pot of plenty of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 100 ml of the pasta water before draining.

2. Prepare the vegetables

Finely chop the onion and garlic. Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes.

3. Prepare the tomato sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Briefly sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat. Then add the cherry tomatoes and cook for a few minutes until they are soft and begin to break down.

4. Refine the sauce

Mix the pesto and cooking cream into the tomatoes. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce over low heat for a few minutes until creamy.

5. Add pasta

Add the cooked pasta directly to the pan and mix everything thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water.

6. Add cheese

Stir the grated Parmesan into the pasta. Finally, tear the mozzarella into small pieces and gently fold them in. Reserve a few pieces of mozzarella for garnish.

7. Serve

Divide the creamy tomato pesto pasta among plates and garnish with fresh basil, a little Parmesan cheese, and the remaining mozzarella pieces. Serve immediately.

Tips for extra creamy pasta

For an extra creamy consistency, the pasta shouldn't be cooked for too long. The starchy pasta water helps to thicken the sauce nicely. If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can also add a pinch of chili flakes.

Fresh cherry tomatoes are also particularly suitable for this recipe, as they burst open slightly when fried and give the sauce an intense tomato flavor.

Why this recipe is so popular

This tomato pesto pasta is quick to prepare, requires no complicated ingredients, and can easily be adapted to your own taste. It's suitable for both a relaxed family meal and a simple weeknight dinner.

Bon appetit!