Penne with Fresh Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil

I try to find good vegetarian recipes, and this is one that freezes and reheats really well. I found good, cheap mozzarella at Costco, so this ends up being a nice, fresh-tasting, and cheap meal!

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus 2 tablespoons, divided
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 5 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
• 1 pound penne pasta (or any other type of pasta would work as well)
• 1/2 cup shredded basil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 pound fresh salted mozzarella, sliced or cubed

Directions

Put a large pot of salted water on for the pasta. Meanwhile, prepare your sauce. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute or less. Add the tomatoes and cook them for 3 to 5 minutes, just until they begin to release some of their juice.

Cook the pasta in the pot of salted boiling water for 12 to 13 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and basil to the pan with the tomatoes and toss. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve the pasta in bowls, equally distribute the fresh mozzarella between the bowls. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the bowls of pasta and serve immediately.