Warm Pasta Caprese
Made with the typical Caprese salad ingredients of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, this warm pasta Caprese is a delicious Italian summer classic!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Southern Italian
Keyword: caprese, Italian food, mozzarella and tomatoes, pasta recipe, summer pasta
Servings: 4
Calories: 659kcal
- 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)
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
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.
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
Calories: 659kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 448mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 798IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 381mg | Iron: 2mg