Ingredients

6 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Coarse salt and ground pepper

12 ounces penne rigate

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced

2 garlic cloves, sliced

1/4 cup snipped chives

Preparation

Place cheese in freezer. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and set aside.

In pasta pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and pasta water. Cook until cherry tomatoes soften, 2 to 4 minutes.

Add pasta, chilled cheese, and chives to pot, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.