Name: Fifteen-Minute Caprese Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 200 g penne or fusilli pasta dry; 250 g cherry tomatoes; 125 g fresh mozzarella; 1 bunch fresh basil; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 cloves garlic; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; to taste salt and pepper

01

Overview

Prep5 min

Cook10 min

Total15 min

Servings2

DifficultyEasy

02

Ingredients

03

Equipment

Large pot
Wide skillet
Colander
Tongs

04

Method

01

Boil the pasta

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain.

02

Burst the tomatoes

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high. Add the halved cherry tomatoes with a pinch of salt and cook 4 to 5 minutes until they burst and release their juices. Add the sliced garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

03

Toss with mozzarella and basil

Add the drained pasta to the tomatoes with a splash of pasta water and the balsamic vinegar; toss to coat. Remove from the heat, tear in the fresh mozzarella, and fold in the basil. Serve right away.

✦

Tips

NoteCook the pasta just to al dente so it keeps a pleasant bite once dressed.

NoteAdd the basil off the heat so the leaves stay bright and do not darken.

NoteA spoonful of pasta water makes the tomato sauce silky instead of pooling at the bottom.

✦

Nutrition

Caloriesabout 520 per serving

Proteinabout 22 g

NoteApproximate; depends on pasta, cheese, and oil used

✦

Storage

RefrigeratorKeep in an airtight container up to 3 days; the basil may darken but the flavor holds.

Best freshServe warm right after tossing for the creamiest mozzarella pockets.

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Frequently asked

Why reserve pasta water?+

The starch helps the tomato and oil form a silky sauce that clings to the noodles instead of pooling.

Can I use a different pasta shape?+

Short shapes with grooves like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni catch the burst-tomato sauce best.

How do I keep the basil bright?+

Always tear and fold in the basil after taking the pan off the heat.

Fifteen-Minute Caprese Pasta

Overview

Ingredients

Equipment