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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Blistered Tomato Orecchiette with Fresh Mozzarella

4 to 6 Servings

45 minutes

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Tossed with olive oil, garlic and seasonings, cherry or grape tomatoes blister and soften in minutes under the intense heat of the broiler. We deglaze their caramelized juices with a little starchy pasta cooking water to create a simple, flavorful, no-simmer sauce for orecchiette. Chopped basil, grated Parmesan and fresh mozzarella are stirred in near the end to create this summery insalata caprese–inspired pasta dish. A final few minutes in the pot lets everything mix, and allows the mozzarella to warm to just the right degree of meltiness. If you’re able to find mozzarella pearls, or perlini, use those. They’re so small they only need to be drained before use; no need to cut them into ¼-inch chunks.

4 to 6

Servings

Tip

Don’t use a baking sheet that is not broiler-safe to blister the tomatoes. Most nonstick bakeware and cookware is not safe for use under the broiler.

45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1

    pound orecchiette

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Directions

Reviews
Sally D.
September 10, 2024
Yummy & easy
Used much less than a pound of pasta, double garlic, pepper, tons of basil. It was delicious! My cherry tomatoes were pretty juicy so I stirred in some Italian breadcrumbs. Served my share over baby spinach. Spouse inhaled 2 servings and demanded a repeat asap. It might add kalamatas next time for a briney note.
Jane V.
July 30, 2026
Delicious
Halved the recipe for fewer (5) side servings to serve with grilled steak. Roasted the tomatoes in a 375 F oven, stirring often, until soft. Added the pasta water, scraped the roasting pan and ran the tomato mixture through a food mill for a smooth texture.

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