• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Splash of Taste - Vegetarian Recipes
  • Home
  • Food
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Cookies
    • Appetizers
    • Easy Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Desserts
      • Cheesecake
      • Cookies
      • Crumble
      • Pies
    • Dips, dressings, & sauces
    • Main Courses
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Under 30 Mins
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegetarian curries
    • Vegan
  • Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Gin Cocktails
    • Tequila Cocktails
    • Vodka Cocktails
    • Mocktails
  • Resources
  • About Us
Splash of Taste – Vegetarian Recipes

Splash of Taste - Vegetarian Recipes

Easy veggie recipes

  • Home
  • Food
    • All Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Air Fryer Recipe
      • Cookies
    • Appetizers
    • Easy Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Desserts
      • Cheesecake
      • Cookies
      • Crumble
      • Pies
    • Dips, dressings, & sauces
    • Main Courses
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Under 30 Mins
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegetarian curries
    • Vegan
  • Drinks
    • Cocktails
    • Gin Cocktails
    • Tequila Cocktails
    • Vodka Cocktails
    • Mocktails
  • Resources
  • About Us
Home / Vegetarian

Pasta alla sorrentina

Published August 4, 2021 | Updated November 28, 2022 | By Mandy & Jane

  • Facebook
Jump to Recipe

You’ll love tucking into a bowl of pasta alla sorrentina which is full of sweet, juicy, ripe tomatoes, garlic, and cheesy flavor with hints of red pepper flakes and basil, this is a great vegetarian dinner idea. When we discovered this dish in Sorrento, we knew we had to make it when we got home, years later, we think we’ve tweaked the recipe to perfection!

Looking down on a homemade bowl of pasta alla sorrentina, with mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes and chopped basil on sprinkled on top, a plant of fresh basil, cherry tomatoes and pecorino cheese.

Authentically Italian, simple, delicious, and so very satisfying!

This wonderful Italian meal is easily prepped and cooked in just 45 minutes, and it tastes so good.

You may have heard of a gnocchi alla sorrentina recipe but ours uses paccheri pasta and is so simple and easy to make.

Pasta alla sorrentina ingredients

In our pasta all sorrentina, we use fresh garlic cloves, perfectly ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, sugar, butter, paccheri pasta tubes, fresh buffalo mozzarella and pecorino cheese.

Ingredients for making pasta alla sorrentina, fresh basil, garlic, salt, extra virgin olive oil, pepper flakes, sugar, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, pecorino cheese, paccheri pasta and butter.

Is mozzarella vegetarian?

Yes, buffalo mozzarella is 100% vegetarian.

It’s made from the milk of Italian buffalos.

We also serve our pasta alla sorrentina with pecorino cheese rather than Parmigiano Reggiano, as parmesan cheese is not vegetarian.

A delicious meal of homemade pasta alla sorrentina, with paccheri pasta tubes, cherry tomatoes, with chopped basil on top.

How do I cook pasta?

Pasta is best cooked in a pan of boiling water with a pinch of salt.

You’ll need to check the instructions on your packet, and it’s usually best served slightly al dente, which means that when you bite into it, it should still be a little firm.

What is paccheri pasta?

Paccheri can often be called schiaffoni too. It’s a large pasta, imagine a macaroni and super size that and you have paccheri pasta.

It’s pronounced ‘pa-KER-ee’, it’s great for pasta dishes with thick sauces.

What can I substitute paccheri pasta tubes for?

If you’re cooking alla sorrentina pasta, you can substitute paccheri for another tubed pasta, such as rigatoni or penne.

Overhead shot of a delicious meal of homemade pasta alla sorrentina, with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and chopped basil.

Fresh cherry tomatoes vs canned tomatoes

There’s no comparison, fresh cherry tomatoes will always taste sweeter and far better.

However, if you haven’t got any cherry tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes, but the flavor will be different and not as fresh.

It will still make a good simple tomato sauce.

How much salt should you put in pasta water?

A general rule of thumb is that for every 450g (1lb) of pasta you need 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt.

Adjust it to suit your taste once you’ve cooked pasta a few times but don’t forget the salt added to any sauces you make.

A bowl of homemade pasta alla sorrentina with a tasty sauce with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.

Why do you cook pasta in salted water?

It’s simple, to add flavor to the pasta.

If you think about it, pre-packed pasta is often made from flour and water, so you need it to absorb the salt to enhance its flavor.

Recipe notes and tips

  • Piccolo tomatoes would be a great substitute for cherry tomatoes.
  • Be careful not to burn your garlic or it’ll have a bitter flavor.
Authentic Italian bowl of pasta alla sorrentina, with fresh tomatoes, chopped basil and mozzarella cheese.

More pasta recipes for you to try

If you love this pasta dish, then why not take a look at these easy recipes; Gigi Hadid pasta, pasta alla norma, penne arrabiata, and mushroom pasta.

How do I make pasta alla sorrentina?

To make our pasta alla sorrentina recipe, you’ll just need to follow our simple instructions.

We always start with preparing the ingredients, this way they are ready to use exactly when you need them.

Roughly slice your garlic cloves.

Wash your cherry tomatoes and pick the basil leaves.

Chop fresh mozzarella or buffalo mozzarella into cubes.

Then, you’ll need to get a large pan of boiling water started, make sure you salt it well.

Cook your paccheri pasta according to the instructions on the packet, remembering you want the pasta to be al dente.

Next, take a frying pan or skillet and add extra virgin olive oil and garlic slices.

On medium-low heat, heat the oil and garlic just slightly.

Cherry tomatoes with fresh basil and sliced garlic.

When you can see the garlic starting to bubble slightly, it’s time to add your cherry tomatoes and basil leaves and increase the heat slightly to medium heat.

Add red pepper flakes, salt, and sugar, stir until the skins of the tomatoes start to split open.

You need to ensure that your garlic does not brown, while you are cooking, as it will become bitter. If it starts to brown then add a tablespoon of water.

When your tomatoes have split, it’s time to smash half of them, using the back of a wooden spoon.

Now add butter and stir until it has combined.

As soon as your pasta is ready, spoon it out of the water with a slotted spoon allowing the water to drain back into the pot.

Do not throw the pasta water away as you’ll need it.

Add the drained pasta into your frying pan or skillet and stir to make sure it’s fully combined with your fresh tomato sauce.

Now add a ladle of your pasta water to the pan and cook the pasta in the sauce for around 2 minutes.

Season with sea salt and pepper.

Process shot of paccheri pasta with fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.

Now remove the pan from the heat and add your mozzarella cubes.

Stir it in, the heat from the pan will soften it, but if it doesn’t, just return the pan to low heat to help it along.

Serve your pasta alla sorrentina immediately, with freshly grated pecorino cheese and fresh basil thinly sliced or torn into pieces.

Close up of pasta alla sorrentina with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes and chopped basil on top.

We hope you enjoy making our pasta alla sorrentino and find it an easy recipe to make.

We’d love to hear from you, so please do leave a comment below and if you have any questions, we’ll answer them as quickly as we can.

A homemade bowl of pasta alla sorrentina on a board.
Print Share on Facebook Pin Recipe

PASTA ALLA SORRENTINA

Looking for an easy pasta dinner recipe? Our pasta alla sorrentina is a delicious, easy pasta meal that all the family will love. Full of sweet, juicy, ripe tomatoes and a garlic and cheesy flavor with hints of red pepper flakes and basil, this is a great vegetarian dinner idea. Perfect for a weeknight meal, meat free Monday or eating with friends.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Servings4
Calories540
Course: Main course
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Jane Chapman | Splash of Taste
Prevent your screen from going dark

Utensils

Chopping board
Sharp knife
Large pan
Frying pan or skillet

Ingredients

  • 4 Garlic cloves
  • 3 cups Cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup Basil leaves
  • 4 oz Mozzarella cheese
  • 12 oz Paccheri pasta
  • 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ tsp Red pepper flakes
  • ¾ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Sugar
  • 2 tsp Butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For serving

  • Finely grated pecorino cheese
  • Fresh basil finely sliced
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Roughly slice your garlic cloves, then wash your cherry tomatoes. Pick your basil leaves and chop your fresh mozzarella into cubes
    4 Garlic cloves, 3 cups Cherry tomatoes, ½ cup Basil leaves
  • Then, you'll need to get a large pan of boiling water started, make sure you salt it well. Cook your pasta according to the instructions on the packet, remembering you want the pasta to be al dente
  • Next, take a frying pan or skillet, and add extra virgin olive oil and garlic slices. On medium-low heat, heat the oil and garlic just slightly. When you can see the garlic starting to bubble slightly, it's time to add your cherry tomatoes and basil leaves and increase the heat slightly to medium heat
    Cherry tomatoes with fresh basil and sliced garlic.
  • Add your red pepper flakes, salt and sugar, stir until the skins of the tomatoes start to split open. You need to ensure that your garlic does not brown, while you are cooking, as it will become bitter. If it starts to brown then add a tablespoon of water
    4 oz Mozzarella cheese, 12 oz Paccheri pasta, 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • When your tomatoes have split, it's time to smash half of them, using the back of a wooden spoon. Now add butter and stir until it has combined
    ¼ tsp Red pepper flakes
  • As soon as your pasta is ready, spoon it out of the water with a slotted spoon allowing the water to drain back into the pot. Do not throw the pasta water away as you'll need it. Add the drained pasta into your frying pan or skillet and stir to make sure it's fully combined with your fresh tomatoes
  • Now add a ladle of your pasta water to the pan and cook the pasta in the sauce for around 2 minutes. Season with sea salt and pepper
    Salt and pepper to taste
  • Now remove the pan from the heat and add your mozzarella cubes. Stir it in, the heat from the pan will soften it, but if it doesn't, just return the pan to low heat to help it along
    Process shot of paccheri pasta with fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
  • Serve your pasta alla sorrentina immediately, with fresh grated pecorino cheese and fresh basil finely sliced or torn into pieces
    ¾ tsp Salt, 2 tsp Butter
  • Bellissima! Enjoy!
    A delicious meal of homemade pasta alla sorrentina, with paccheri pasta tubes, cherry tomatoes, with chopped basil on top.

Notes

  • Piccolo tomatoes would be a great substitute for cherry tomatoes
  • Be careful not to burn your garlic or it’ll have a bitter flavor

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 952IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 2mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

Instragram Icon

Did you make this recipe?

We love hearing how you went with ours recipes! Tag us on Instagram at @splash_of_taste_uk

You may also like…

Sweet potato cubes on a plate with a sauce.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Looking for a snack that’s both healthy and delicious? Look no further than our air fryer sweet potato cubes! Say goodbye to boring, bland snacks…

Delicious air fryer vegan ham ready to eat.

Air Fryer Vegan Ham

Who says vegans can’t enjoy holiday ham? Our air fryer vegan ham recipe will have you feeling festive and satisfied in no time. If you’re…

  • Facebook
mandy and jane

About Mandy

A vegetarian for over 35 years, Mandy has taught herself to be creative in the kitchen. Traveling extensively, Mandy loves learning and adapting vegetarian recipes from across the world. Read more...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Jan says

    August 7, 2021 at 10:30 am

    5 stars
    Pasta alla sorrentino.

    As soon as I saw the ingredients I knew it would be my kind of menu,
    So easy & delicious, defiantly doing this again next week.

    Reply
    • Mandy from Splash of Taste says

      August 7, 2021 at 10:35 am

      So glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of our favorites!

Primary Sidebar

We’re Mandy and Jane!

We love sharing our vegetarian food and drink recipes with you. If you’re cutting down on meat, going vegetarian or vegan, there’s something delicious to eat and drink for you here
Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

Splash of Taste

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

SEARCH THIS SITE

Categories

  • Air Fryer Recipe
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Bread
  • Breakfast
  • Cakes
  • Cheesecake
  • Christmas
  • Cocktails
  • Cookies
  • Cookies
  • Crumble
  • Desserts
  • Dips
  • Dips, dressings, & sauces
  • Dressing
  • Drinks
  • Easy Casseroles
  • Featured Recipes
  • Food
  • Gin Cocktails
  • Gluten Free
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Ingredient substitutions
  • Lunch
  • Main Courses
  • Mocktails
  • Mousse
  • MSN
  • MSN Article
  • MSN Slideshow
  • Nibbles
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Pasta
  • Pies
  • Pizza
  • Quick Recipes
  • Recipe collections
  • Resources
  • Sauce
  • Seasoning
  • Side Dishes
  • Soup
  • Tequila Cocktails
  • Thanksgiving
  • Thanksgiving Desserts
  • Thanksgiving main courses
  • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Uncategorized
  • Under 30 Minutes
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegetarian curries
  • Vodka Cocktails
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Story Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Splash of Taste · Privacy Policy