Warm Pasta Caprese

5 from 9 votes

Made with the typical Caprese salad ingredients of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, this warm pasta Caprese is a delicious Italian summer classic!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian, Southern Italian

Keyword: caprese, Italian food, mozzarella and tomatoes, pasta recipe, summer pasta

Servings:

Calories: 659kcal

Author: Jacqui

Ingredients

400 g torchio pasta or other short pasta 14 oz ( I used maccheroni al torchio from Andalini)
300 g cherry tomatoes 10 oz (washed and cut in half)
200 g fresh mozzarella 7oz (the best is mozzarella di Bufala)
5 basil leaves washed
1 garlic clove peeled
1-2 teaspoon oregano
3-4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
salt for pasta and to taste
black pepper to taste
30 g Parmesan 1oz - grated (optional)

Instructions

Make the sauce

Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan or skillet, add the garlic and after it starts to soften, add the tomatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste and some of the oregano and fresh basil. Cook for another 5 minutes or so until the tomatoes have softened. Remove the garlic clove

Cook the pasta

While the sauce is cooking put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil and bring to the boil again. Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet.

Finish the dish

When the pasta is ready, drain and add to the pan with the tomato sauce. Mix together well and then add the mozzarella cut into cubes, a little more fresh basil and another pinch of oregano. Stir and mix over a low heat until the mozzarella starts to melt.
Serve immediately with grated Parmesan as required.

Notes

I used maccheroni al torchio but other short pasta and even spaghetti work well too.

Italians often use mozzarella di Bufala, but you can use other types. However, it needs to be fresh and a little soft but not watery.

Good ripe tomatoes are important too. I used cherry tomatoes and kept the skins on. Some people use sauce tomatoes such as San Marzano and peel and chop them

Nutrition