Fusilli with Tomato and Mozzarella
Fusilli “Margherita”
Preparation info
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
4
Appears in
Giuliano Hazan's Thirty Minute Pasta
Published 2009
This pasta dish resembles a pizza Margherita, the basic pizza found on pizzeria menus all over Italy. Because the tomatoes are only very quickly sautéed in olive oil, I remove the seeds so the sauce will not be too watery. Make sure to drain the pasta when it is still a little underdone so that it can sit in a covered bowl to melt the mozzarella without becoming overcooked.
Ingredients
2 pounds 3 tablespoons - Salt
1 pound 2–3 sprigs 8 ounces
Method
- Fill a pot for the pasta with about 6 quarts of water, place over high heat, and bring to a boil.
- Peel the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Cut the flesh into ½-inch dice. Put the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet and place over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the tomatoes. Sauté for just 2 to 3 minutes, then season with salt and remove from the heat. Transfer to the bowl you will be serving the pasta in.
- When the water for the pasta is boiling, add about 2 tablespoons salt, add the fusilli, and stir well. Cook until very al dente (about 30 seconds less than you normally would).
- Coarsely chop enough oregano leaves to measure about 2 teaspoons and add them to the tomatoes in the bowl. Cut the mozzarella into small ¼-inch dice.
- When the pasta is done, drain well and toss with the sauce in the bowl. Add the mozzarella, toss again, then cover the bowl and let stand for about 30 seconds to allow the cheese to melt a bit. Uncover the bowl, toss one last time, and serve at once.
© 2009 Giuliano Hazan. All rights reserved.