Smoky Tomato, Roasted Red Pepper & Arugula Pasta
I don’t know about you, but I am swimming in some tomato love over here! If you are visiting for the first time, Ali of Gimme Some Oven and I are hosting an 8-week Tomato Love Recipe Exchange celebrating all things tomato and we have some great giveaways to go along with it. Week 1 was all about tomato appetizers. Week 2 is tomato dips and salsas and we have had some great entries so far. Click here to share your favorite tomato dip or salsa and enter to win a 12-cup Cuisinart Food Processor!
We have truly loved getting to share some great tomato recipes but the real reason behind this recipe exchange is awareness. Ali and I feel passionate about a campaign being sponsored by the International Justice Mission (IJM) that is helping to bring awareness to consumers about tomatoes. 90% of our country’s off-season tomatoes are farmed in Florida which has been recently called “ground zero” for modern-day slavery. It’s heartbreaking to learn that this is happening right here, to our neighbors, but even more so that so many of us have no idea that it’s happening.
So IJM, along with many others, has been working tirelessly to bring awareness to this issue. Thousands have been freed from slavery and tomato farmers have developed zero-tolerance programs for slavery, child labor, etc. They fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. Fast food companies and many grocery stores are already on board with this Fair Food program.
I sincerely encourage you to visit the Recipe for Change page to learn more about how you can be a part of this initiative. With your love of food, you can help advocate for those who need us most! By banding together, we hope to make a difference all over the country, and the world.
So why not celebrate with some more #TomatoLove? I made a quick tomato and roasted red pepper pasta in a spicy, smoky sauce. I am a little bit obsessed with smoked paprika these days and it becomes the star flavor in this dish. It’s quick, healthy and I love the fresh flavors!
This topic is a little heavier than my normal rants and ramblings but it has become very important to me to bring awareness to social justice issues. I have been very encouraged by all of the support, the tweets, comments, emails from all of you getting behind this initiative. Thank you, so very much for reaching out to simple love others!
Micah 6:8 …It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love… (The Message)
Smoky Tomato, Roasted Red Pepper & Arugula Pasta
Yield: 2 Servings
Total Time: 20 minutes
Fresh veggies and pasta with smoky seasonings and fresh mozzarella.
Ingredients:
8 ounces pasta
2 tsp. olive oil, divided
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, divided
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 cups fresh arugula
2 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, diced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheeseDirections:
Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, roasted red peppers, half of the basil, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Let the mixture cook for another 5-6 minutes until the tomatoes begin to soften.
Add the arugula to the pan and drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over the arugula. Stir it to combine and cook until the arugula wilts. Turn the heat to low and stir in the mozzarella cheese. Add the cooked pasta and the pasta water and stir until combined. Top with Parmesan cheese.
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I have become MAJORLY obsessed with smoked paprika also! That stuff oomphs up everything it touches. Love the sound of this pasta!
Cassie replied: — July 19th, 2012 @ 10:42 am
I love that word, oomph, using it from now on!
I’m another paprika-obsessive! I’m really craving a bowl of this pasta right now.
Cassie replied: — July 19th, 2012 @ 10:42 am
It is perfect in pasta!
Love this pasta dish! It is bursting with such wonderful flavor! Thank you for bringing awareness to this important cause!
Cassie – I love what you and Ali are doing! Its so nice to make people aware of anothers plight! Its an added bonus that we get too see just how versatile tomatoes are. I love pasta and cooked tomatoe, its such a comforting combo.
I love the flavors in this! This needs to make an appearance at my house soon!
Oh my gosh. This looks incredible and such beautiful photos Cassie!
The tomatoes are just brilliantly sweet and fresh this year, I’m happy to see you love them as much as I do. This pasta looks and sounds fantastic!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:50 am
Oh yes, I am a big tomato love, but haven’t always been. I started eating them in college and now I can’t get enough!
I’m really enjoying all this #tomatolove! And this recipe here is just amazing. I love how you use up such fresh ingredients!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:49 am
Thanks so much Chung-Ah!
Mama mia, Lordy Lou I WANT IT.
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:49 am
Let’s trade: vegetarian pasta for lobster, that’s fair, right?
I love that you are using your platform and voice as a blogger to bring awareness to this issue. I need to do more!! And this pasta looks incredibly inviting and I’d love a big bowl!!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:49 am
Thanks so much Deborah!
Thanks so much for the info about Recipe for Change and bringing this important issue to light. I’ll definitely be checking out this site. This pasta really caught my attention on Twitter and now that I see it, I must make it!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:49 am
Thanks for the support Dara!
great cause to get behind – really wish i had time to participate but am committed to about a bazillion projects at the moment. i read about the tomato harvesting practices in Florida about 3-4yrs ago – it disturbed me so much that i quit buying tomatoes from Florida – it’s an important issue so kudos to you.
now this sauce is also something i can get behind – smoked paprika is probably in my top 5 spices of those i use most often – great dish!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:48 am
I totally understand not being able to commit right now, but thank you for your encouragement!!
It’s great that you’re bringing awareness to this topic.
And I love that shape of pasta. I have no idea what it is but it looks really nice and I’m sure it’s tasty! And what a colorful dish. Nice!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:48 am
Thanks Erin, the pasta is called orecchiette, and they are my absolute favorite too!
I think it’s so wonderful your bringing out awareness about this. I had no clue!!
This pasta looks delish!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:47 am
Thanks Holly!
You had me at smoky tomato! I bet this would be amazing with smoked mozzarella also. Love your dishes!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:47 am
You are so sweet Laura! Thank you!
Oh I love it! I’m obsessed with smoked paprika as well. I picked up a small jar a month ago, it’s almost gone. I use it in so many things! This pasta looks…. amazing!
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 10:44 am
I do too, thanks Carrie!
I’ve seen so many veggie pasta dishes lately, but the addition of roasted red peppers has this one standing out in my mind. Leave it to you, Cassie. And thank you for bringing awareness to this!
Cassie replied: — July 19th, 2012 @ 10:43 am
Your comments are just too sweet Sally!
I love what you ladies are doing and I LOVE this pasta. I can’t stop myself from roasting tomatoes on a near daily basis.
Cassie replied: — July 19th, 2012 @ 10:44 am
Thanks for the encouragement Jackie!
smoky tomatoes & roasted red peppers…perfect!
I was just talking to my Hubs about making some pasta dish! This one is perfect! Thanks, Cassie!
Cassie replied: — July 19th, 2012 @ 10:44 am
Thanks Anna, hope you enjoyed your pasta!
I’ve been away for a couple weeks and now getting caught up with some of my fellow bloggers. IJM is a wonderful ministry and they do great work. Thank you for using your blog as a platform to bring this issue to light.
On top of that, your pasta dish rocks Cassie!
Cassie replied: — July 19th, 2012 @ 10:45 am
Thank you for the encouraging words Steve!
This is such a quick and fun meal! Looks yummy!
You girls are doing a great job with this & I love the pasta!
Smoked Paprika is one of my favorite ingredients. I’m a vegetarian, so I love that smoky flavor it gives dishes–without adding bacon or sausage. Yum.
Great post too. It’s important to know not only WHERE our food comes from but how it’s harvested too.
This looks so delicious! You used my favorite kind of pasta, plus I love the smokiness. It’s the perfect summer pasta dish.
Printing your lovely recipe, but put off by large BlogHer ad that cuts off your entire site.
Cassie replied: — July 18th, 2012 @ 7:19 pm
Oh no, I hate to hear that! Please let me know what the ad was for so that I can change that. I don’t like those ads either! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for raising my awareness of this very worthy cause! I am loving all of your tempting tomato recipes!
I’m way behind on commenting and just now getting caught up on your #tomatolove posts Cassie. Kudos for raising awareness! This pasta looks fantastic, love the combination of ingredients you used.
I made a tomato recipe for dinner tonight and thought of you
Love this pasta (but that probably comes as no surprise).
i really love this recipe. it’s simple and fresh and it sounds amazing with great flavors!
Great job bringing awareness to others! This pasta looks amazing. I love that you used smoked paprika!
Arugula in my pasta is my favorite thing ever! This looks great…do you deliver?
Beautiful pasta and a great cause!
I admire you bringing awareness to this very important cause! Of course the pasta looks totally amazing!
Great job bringing awareness to others girls! And that pasta well yes I’ll have two bowls please ; )
this looks fantastic! + i love that you’re bringing awareness about such an important issue – us bloggers, myself included, should do that more often!
I love that this pasta is still light and healthy… but it fill my belly.
Cassie, you are on a role this week – everything you post has been something I’ve been majorly craving. Obviously, I love this
What a wonderful sentiment, and the pesto looks so bright and fresh. A perfect summer pasta bowl.
That is a Gorgeous summer pasts dish! …and it looks pretty guilt-free.
I am all for some tomato love!! This will be perfect one night this weekend; quick, healthy and delish! Beautiful quote
xoxo
This looks delicious. I love that you used smoked paprika! I am so excited to try this. Thanks for sharing.
I think it’s so important to understand where our food comes from and the conditions of the people and the animals that were involved. I’m so glad you shared about this in your post – it’s a very important cause. Oh, and thanks for the great recipe too!
Thanks for the reply, Cassie! Now I can look for them.