This caprese pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil is a perfect quick dinner—just a few ingredients and ready in about 15 minutes.
My family loves pasta, and I love easy weeknight meals. Caprese pasta combines simple, fresh ingredients into a fast, satisfying dish. If you enjoy one-pan pasta recipes, try this as a light main or a colorful side.
Tomato season is my favorite. We plant a garden every year and always make room for several tomato plants. The kids check the garden daily and love sampling the fruit as soon as it ripens. Whether you grow your own tomatoes or buy them at the market, this caprese pasta is a lovely way to enjoy their bright flavor.
How to Make Caprese Pasta
I use angel hair (capellini) for this recipe because it cooks in about five minutes, which keeps the whole process quick. This dish mirrors a classic caprese salad: fresh mozzarella, olive oil, basil and tomatoes, with a touch of garlic for extra flavor.
Important tip: let the pasta cool for a minute or two before adding the mozzarella. You want the cheese to soften and become creamy, not melt completely into a sticky mass.
With just a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is ideal for hot summer nights when you don’t want to heat the oven. It works well as a meatless main or a simple side. I make it repeatedly during tomato season—it’s that easy and delicious.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Pizza Stuffed Shells
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
This post was originally published on April 23, 2015 and updated with new photos on August 9, 2017.
Quick and Easy Caprese Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces angel hair pasta
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 6 ripe tomatoes (Roma recommended), cored, seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or equal parts dried basil, parsley and oregano)
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside briefly.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and sauté just until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, then remove the skillet from the heat. Add the fresh mozzarella and basil, and toss gently to coat.
- Season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 368 kcal | Carbohydrates: 48 g | Protein: 16 g | Fat: 11 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Cholesterol: 29 mg | Sodium: 246 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 1385 IU | Vitamin C: 17.5 mg | Calcium: 220 mg | Iron: 1.3 mg
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