Pasta Caprese Pasta with Tomatoes Mozzarella Fresh Basil
Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and refreshing Pasta Caprese, a delightful twist on the classic Italian Caprese salad. Featuring al dente pasta tossed with sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant torn basil leaves, this dish is brought to life with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and the option of a luscious balsamic glaze. The simplicity of this recipe highlights the fresh, high-quality ingredients, while the quick 25-minute prep and cook time make it perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Serve it warm or at room temperature for an effortlessly elegant meal that’s bursting with summertime flavors.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Pasta (e.g., spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces Fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves, torn into smaller pieces
- 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water, tossing to combine and coat the pasta in the tomato mixture.
Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the fresh mozzarella and torn basil leaves. The heat from the pasta will slightly soften the mozzarella but not melt it completely.
Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Transfer the pasta to serving plates or a large serving bowl. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if using for an extra touch of sweetness and acidity.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil leaves if desired. Enjoy your Caprese-inspired pasta!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
450 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.6 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.4 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 30 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 600 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.9 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.7 g | ||
| Protein | 16.7 g | 33% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 243 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 488 mg | 10% | |
*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.
