Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound animaletti pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup provola cheese, diced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Special equipment needed:
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander for draining pasta
- Large skillet for cooking sauce
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add animaletti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they start to soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes.
4. Add diced provola cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and combined with the tomato sauce.
5. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet with the tomato and cheese sauce. Toss until the pasta is coated with the sauce.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Temperature:
Medium heat
Serving size:
4 servings
Nutritional information:
Calories: 480
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Protein: 18g
Sodium: 380mg
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Animaletti pasta can be substituted with any small pasta shape.
- Cherry tomatoes can be substituted with diced canned tomatoes.
- Provola cheese can be substituted with any mild melting cheese, such as mozzarella or fontina.
Variations:
- Add cooked crumbled sausage or ground beef to the sauce for a heartier dish.
- Add chopped spinach or kale to the sauce for a healthier twist.
- Use different herbs for garnish, such as parsley or oregano.
Tips and tricks:
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to use in the sauce if it needs to be thinned out.
- Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Don't overcook the pasta, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
Storage instructions:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating instructions:
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Presentation ideas:
Serve in individual bowls or on a large platter.
Garnishes:
Fresh basil leaves
Pairings:
Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.
Suggested side dishes:
- Caesar salad
- Caprese salad
- Garlic bread
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- If the cheese doesn't melt completely, turn up the heat and stir until melted.
Food safety advice:
Make sure to cook the pasta and sauce to the proper temperature to avoid any foodborne illnesses.
Food history:
Animaletti pasta is a small pasta shape that is popular in southern Italy. Provola cheese is a semi-soft cheese that is similar to mozzarella and is also from southern Italy.
Flavor profiles:
This dish is savory and cheesy with a burst of sweetness from the cherry tomatoes.
Serving suggestions:
Serve hot as a main dish for lunch or dinner.
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Region: Italian