Caprese Pasta Salad

I'm not sure where my mom got this recipe so if you know (or mom, if you made this by yourself), let me know! I feel like my version of this recipe did not do it justice. Whenever my mom made this I LOVED it. It is SO good. The ingredients are important though: it's best with a LOT of cherry tomatoes and a LOT of mozzarella! Yum! Will definitely be making this again (with more of the aforementioned necessities)!

Caprese Pasta Salad

1 lbs penne or oriechette pasta

1/4 cups olive oil

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1pints cherry tomatoes, halved

1tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, optional

1/4 cups kalamata olives, sliced, optional

1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan for serving, more as needed

1 container bocconcini (mozzarella balls), or cut up chunks of mozzarella

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook penne according to package directions. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook, stirring, until just golden, about 1 minute. Add cherry tomatoes, oregano, crushed red pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring until tomato juices run, about 3 min.

Add the penne, olives if using, basil, and then remove to large serving dish and toss with mozzarella balls and Parmesan. Add salt and pepper to taste.