Rigatoni with Cherry Tomatoes + Basil & Stracciatella

Summer nostalgia? Try this combination of Rigatoni with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil with Stracciatella cheese and you will see rays of sunshine again! Easy, fast and tasty.

Ingredients :

200 Gr Rigatoni

1/4 Onion finely chopped

2 Garlic cloves

4 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

200 Gr Cheery Tomatoes (I used Italian Imported in a can)

12 Fresh Basil leaves julienned

1 Tsp salt (for the sauce)

1/2 Tsp Black pepper

3 Tbs. Salt (for the boiling water )

2 Tbs. Grated Parmesan Cheese

Method :

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt and throw in the rigatoni, stir for a minute then occasionally following the cooking instructions. Drain the pasta one minute earlier then cooking time.
2. Take a large pan, at medium heat add extra virgin olive oil and when warm, add onion. Cook it for 2 minutes then add garlic.
3. Cook the garlic and onion till they reach a golden color, add the cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper.
4. Sauté the tomatoes till they melt and burst out the juice (about 10 minutes), adding some boiling water from the pasta if needed .
5. Add half of the basil. Save the rest till you toss the sauce with the pasta and remove the garlic cloves. (optional)
6. Place the cooked pasta in the pan with the sauce, at medium-high heat start to toss the pasta and the sauce adding the parmesan cheese, the rest of the basil and a drizzle of extra virgin oil.
7. Serve immediately and top each pasta dish with a bunch of stracciatella cheese that will melt with the heat of the pasta bite by bite. Buon Appetito!