Caprese Pasta Recipe
This vibrant Caprese Pasta recipe combines al dente spaghetti with fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy bocconcini, fragrant basil, and a zesty lemon dressing for an easy, flavorful Italian-inspired dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Sauce and Toppings
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh bocconcini, drained and halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Sauté aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they are just warmed through.
- Toss ingredients: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes and remove it from the heat. Gently toss the pasta with the tomato mixture, then add the bocconcini, fresh lemon juice, and chopped basil. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. If desired, add a little of the reserved pasta water to create a light sauce. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Use fresh bocconcini for a creamy texture; mozzarella balls can be substituted if unavailable.
- Serve immediately as the cheese can soften too much if left standing.
- For a vegan version, substitute bocconcini with vegan cheese or omit entirely.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with baby spinach or arugula for a different flavor profile.
Keywords: Caprese pasta, Italian pasta salad, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, bocconcini pasta, cherry tomato pasta
Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/caprese-pasta-recipe/
