Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta

Last week, I set out to make something in my new cast iron skillet, which was a wonderful birthday gift from my in-laws!  I have been having some serious pasta cravings during this pregnancy, so I knew that pasta needed to be the main part of this dish!  We also needed to make a trip to the food store in the worst way...so this meal happened to be meatless and use ingredients that I had on hand (which is always a good thing)!

Your Shopping list for the Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta:

• one pound of pasta - any kind will work - I used Mini Rigatoni 
• 1 tbsp olive oil 
• 2 galric cloves, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) San Marzano Tomatoes
• pinch of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese cut into cubes
• a handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half
• a few leaves of fresh basil
• extra parmesan cheese for garnish and serving

Now Let's Make the Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente - drain and set aside
3. Meanwhile while the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a 12 inch cast iron skillet (any oven safe skillet will work)
4. Add the garlic and cook until lightly golden and fragrant 
5. Add the can of tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to your liking
6. Simmer the tomatoes for at least 10 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes as they cook (I just use the back of my wooden spoon to do this)
7. Stir in the half and half and the parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce becomes pink
   
8. Now add the pasta and half of the cubed mozzarella cheese and toss until all of the pasta is coated with sauce
9. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the cherry tomatoes over the top and place skillet in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes until the cheese is melted 
10. Garnish with the fresh basil and extra parmesan 

This dish was a huge hit in our house!  Everyone loved it! 

I used this cast iron skillet to make this dish: