Description
This Caprese Pasta combines fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil for a quick, flavorful dinner. Perfect for any occasion, it delivers home-cooked goodness in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls or diced fresh mozzarella
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or torn
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and juices are released.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the tomatoes in the skillet, adding a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Toss well until the pasta is coated.
- Remove from heat, then gently mix in fresh mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and drizzle balsamic glaze before serving.
- Serve warm immediately.
Notes
Feel free to substitute any short pasta you have on hand for this recipe.
This dish can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it great as a pasta salad too.
For added flavor, consider adding more herbs such as oregano or thyme.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg