Pasta Caprese
Bright, fresh, and irresistibly simple, Pasta Caprese is the perfect celebration of summer flavors in a bowl. This quick and easy recipe combines tender penne or fusilli with sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil, all brought together with garlic-infused extra virgin olive oil. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a satisfying yet light pasta dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining. A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a tangy-sweet finish, making it as visually stunning as it is delicious. Whether you're craving a taste of Italy or looking for a fresh twist on pasta night, this Pasta Caprese is sure to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams Pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 250 grams Cherry tomatoes
- 200 grams Fresh mozzarella
- 15 grams Fresh basil leaves
- 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
Dice the fresh mozzarella into small bite-sized cubes and add them to the bowl with the tomatoes.
Chop or tear the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces (reserve a few whole leaves for garnish) and add them to the mixing bowl.
Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Mince the garlic cloves and sauté them in the olive oil until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle the garlic-infused olive oil over the pasta and toss everything gently to combine.
Season the pasta with salt and black pepper to taste. If the mixture looks a bit dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help bring everything together.
Divide the Pasta Caprese into serving bowls. Garnish with the reserved basil leaves and drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1516 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 86.2 g | 111% | |
| Saturated Fat | 30.1 g | 150% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 130 mg | 43% | |
| Sodium | 3785 mg | 165% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 122.1 g | 44% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.5 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.2 g | ||
| Protein | 68.1 g | 136% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 1479 mg | 114% | |
| Iron | 4.7 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 1068 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
