Simple & Delicious Penne Alla Checca

Ingredients

• 250 g penne pasta
• 4 firm ripe tomatoes
• 8-10 basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons fresh oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leave
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt & fresh ground pepper
• 150 g mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Boil the tomatoes for about 4-5 minutes. Not fully cooked just until they kinda crack and the tomato skin come off easy. Peel them, get the seeds out and then dice them.

2. 2

   In a large bowl: Add the diced tomatoes, the fresh basil, oregano and thyme finely chopped, the garlic and the extra virgin olive oil.

3. 3

   Salt and pepper for taste. Mix all the ingredients and to combine this delicious flavors just put them away for a bit -- while the pasta is cooking.

4. 4

   Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente or just follow the package instructions.

5. 5

   Cut the mozzarella cheese into 1/2 inch cubes.

6. 6

   When the pasta is ready, save a 1/4 cup of pasta water, just in case the sauce looks a little dry or if you just want it a little more saucy.

7. 7

   Drain pasta.

8. 8

   Toss the hot pasta in the bowl with the fresh tomato mixture, add the mozzarella then toss again. Add pasta water if necesary.

9. 9

   Plate, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!