Fusilli alla Caprese (tomato basil pasta) YUMMY and EASY

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/everyday-italian/fusilli-alla-caprese-recipe/index.html

Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:10 min
Level:Easy
Serves: 4 to 6 servings.

Ingredients
•1 pound fusilli pasta
•3 tablespoons olive oil
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•3 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 1/2 pints)(I use 2 of those little net bags of cherry tomatoes)
•1 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn
•8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced (about 1 1/4 cups) (or I use a pkg of the small mozzarella pearls,they don't get as stringy as when you cut up the mozzarella)


Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.

In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist. Serve.