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Pasta alla Checca

A fresh and flavorful Italian pasta salad, perfect for an easy lunch, dinner, side dish, or party favorite.
Shared notes will appear here.
Soups, Salads & Bowls
Italian
Kitchen Pace : 🕒
Servings: 6
Recipe by NAVA Kitchen
Pasta alla Checca with farfalle, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil in a light tomato-basil sauce.
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Ingredients:

Tomato-Basil Sauce
  • 4 ripe vine tomatoes, about 2 cups once processed
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 4 tbsp fresh basil
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
Pasta Salad
  • 1 lb. farfalle pasta
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2½ cups fresh mozzarella balls, halved
  • 1 cup Parmesan, grated
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Method:

Start Cooking
Cook the pasta
  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and let it cool for a few minutes.
Make the tomato-basil sauce
  • Cut the vine tomatoes into chunks and add them to a food processor with the fresh basil. Pulse until finely chopped and saucy, but not completely smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, then stir in the pressed garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Combine
  • Pour the tomato-basil mixture over the slightly warm pasta. Add the Parmesan, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and remaining ¼ cup basil. Fold everything together gently until evenly combined.
Serve
  • Serve at room temperature or chilled. Bon appétit!

Kitchen Tools:

Notes:

From the kitchen
  • Toss the pasta with the tomato-basil mixture while it is still slightly warm. The warmth helps the pasta absorb the sauce and lets the Parmesan soften and blend into everything.
  • Once combined, let the pasta rest before serving so the flavors have time to come together. Chilling it for a little while makes the tomato, basil, garlic, and cheese flavors even more pronounced.
 
Make it yours
  • You can swap it with another short pasta like penne, rotini, or fusilli.
  • Use fresh mozzarella, feta, kaşar, provolone, or another cheese you love.
  • Add extra garlic, basil, tomatoes, or Parmesan for a bolder flavor.
  • For a deeper red color, warm 1 teaspoon tomato paste with 1 tablespoon olive oil for about 1 minute, then mix it into the tomato-basil sauce. Or use 2 tablespoons plain tomato sauce warmed with 1 tablespoon olive oil instead.
  • For some heat, mix in crushed red pepper or a little hot sauce.
  • You can also add red onion, parsley, mint, sesame seeds, or your favorite seasoning blend.
  • Turn it into a heartier meal with grilled chicken or tuna.
 
At the table
  • Serve Pasta alla Checca on its own for an easy lunch or light dinner, or pair it with grilled chicken, meatballs, steak, fish, or other grilled meats.
  • It also works well as a side dish for summer dinners, cookouts, potlucks, and parties.
  • Serve it chilled or at room temperature and let everyone help themselves.

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Nutrition:

Calories: 555 kcal | Carbohydrates: 63 g | Protein: 25 g | Fat: 24 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8 g | Cholesterol: 26 mg | Sodium: 311 mg | Potassium: 498 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 1179 IU | Vitamin C: 23 mg | Calcium: 382 mg | Iron: 2 mg
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