Pizza Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

25 cherry tomatoes, diced

1 medium red onion, chopped

2 cups sliced mushrooms

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 stick pepperoni, casing removed and cut into a small dice

1 pound ball fresh mozzarella or fresh smoked mozzarella, diced

20 leaves fresh basil, torn or thinly sliced

1 pound wagon wheel pasta, cooked to al dente, then drained

Dressing:

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves or Italian dried seasoning

2 rounded tablespoon tomato paste

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

1/3-1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Preparation

Saute onion, pepper & mushrooms until tender. Add tomatoes and pepperoni and saute until warm.

Meanwhile, cook pasta & drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.

Whisk garlic salt, oregano or Italian seasoning and tomato paste together. Stream in extra-virgin olive oil while continuing to whisk dressing. Add reserved pasta water as needeed for desired consistency.

Combine sauted ingredients, mozzarella, basil, pasta and dressing in a big bowl. Season with fresh ground black pepper.