Burst Cherry Tomato Capellini

Ingredients

• 0.5 lb capellini (or other long pasta)
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil (for the sauce)
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes
• 6 garlic cloves (sliced)
• 0.333 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (finely grated)
• 0.5 cup stracciatella cheese
• fresh basil (torn, to finish)
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• pasta water (as needed)
• 0.5 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for breadcrumbs)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 0.5 lemon lemon juice (juice of 1/2 lemon)
• 0.25 tsp salt (for breadcrumbs)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the lemon-garlic panko breadcrumbs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown.

2. 2

   Add the minced garlic to the breadcrumbs and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

3. 3

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the capellini according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve at least 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

4. 4

   While the pasta water is coming to a boil, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

5. 5

   Add the 2 pints of cherry tomatoes and 6 sliced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and burst, creating a light sauce.

6. 6

   Transfer the cooked capellini directly into the skillet with the tomatoes.

7. 7

   Add a splash of the reserved pasta water and toss the pasta thoroughly to coat it in the tomato juices and oil.

8. 8

   Stir in 1/3 cup of finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano. If the sauce is too dry, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

9. 9

   Plate the pasta and top with dollops of creamy stracciatella cheese.

10. 10

    Finish the dish by sprinkling the toasted lemon-garlic panko breadcrumbs and torn fresh basil over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

If you cannot find stracciatella, you can substitute with the creamy interior of a burrata ball or fresh buffalo mozzarella torn into small pieces.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• vegetarian
• summer
• cherry tomatoes
• capellini
• quick meal