My Achilles Heel

Plain and simple, I love pasta.  Fusili, Penne, Angel Hair, Farfalle, Ditalini, Fettuccinne...it's ALL good in my book.  Of course, I'm a bit partial to penne & angel hair, but that's just me.  If you wanna know the truth, my grandma makes the BEST pasta ever.  She even makes homemade zucca.  When I can't have grandma's, I'm all about sampling new pasta recipes...anything to spice up the same ol' spaghetti & meat sauce recipe that floats around every kitchen in America.  Give me a bowl of pasta and watch me melt.  This is SO my Achilles Heel.  I'm powerless against it.  And now I get to add this recipe to the long list of pasta dishes that make me weak in the knees.  Mamma Mia!

CAPRESE PASTA

1lb. penne pasta {or whatever type you prefer}

1 cup spaghetti sauce {I used my favorite, Classico tomato & Basil...YUM}

1/3 cup heavy cream or half & half {I used the cream}

1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan

4 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes {I *think* I might have used a little more!!!}

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

1 bunch fresh basil leaves

Let's get this party started.  Just incase you're wondering, this is my spaghetti sauce.  Honestly, this comes *pretty close* to grandma's homemade zucca, so I think that's why I like it so dang much!  Especially when I'm using recipes that call for fresh basil.  I swear it just enhances the flavor!

Now, cook pasta according to package directions.  Heat the tomato sauce in a medium sized saucepan.  When it's nice and warm, add in the cream and the parmesan cheese.  Mmmmmm... 

While the sauce is gettin' all creamy, start choppin' the freshness.  I halved the tomatoes, cubed the mozzarella, and sliced the basil into thin strips.

 

Once the sauce is heated through and mixed together real well, pour it over the {drained} pasta and mix to coat.  Then go ahead and fold in the tomato, mozzarella, and basil. 

Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray and pour in the pasta. 

Bake at 350 for about 25{ish} minutes...or until the cheesy is a bubbly, gooey mess. 

Sooooooo good!!!!!

If you love pasta like I do...and even if you're not as big a fan...I promise you'll LOVE this variation!!!  Serve it up with a side of perfectly toasted garlic bread...or maybe even a little french baguette with some delicious olive oil & cracked pepper dip.  Sprinkle on some extra mozzarella or parmesan and a few more strips of fresh basil and go to town!  Just be prepared to have an empty baking dish by the time it's all said and done.  This won't last long at all!!!