Pasta with tomatoes may be the most fundamental and satisfying simple supper—it’s fast, versatile, and always good, time after time. In the winter, spaghetti and tomato sauce with cheese hits the spot. In the summer, we never tire of pasta with good ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4

　　1 pound pasta

　　Simple Tomato Sauce (page 251) or Fresh Tomato & Mozzarella Salad (page 213)

　　Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (optional)

　　

Step 1

Bring a large covered pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, prepare Simple Tomato Sauce or Fresh Tomato & Mozzarella Salad.

　　

Step 3

When the pasta is done, drain it and top with sauce and grated cheese, or toss with the tomatoes and mozzarella.

　　

Ingredient Note

Step 4

Any shape of pasta is fine, but a short, chunky pasta (see page 291) goes best with Fresh Tomato & Mozzarella Salad, and tomato sauce is traditionally paired with long strands.

　　

Serving & menu ideas

Step 5

A green salad is a tried-and-true accompaniment. Another tasty side dish is Lemony Green Beans (page 192). Have Sweet Spiced Nuts (page 261) and a glass of port for dessert.

　　From Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers: Fresh Ideas for the Weeknight Table. Copyright © 2017 by Moosewood Collective. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC. Buy the full book from ThriftBooks or Amazon.