Caprese Pasta Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
• In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist. Serve.

Steps:

• Toss the mozzarella and cherry tomatoes with the Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate. If I'm making this for dinner, I usually get the cheese and tomatoes in the fridge to marinate a few hours before I plan to assemble the salad.
• In a skillet on low heat, heat the olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook on low for 5-10 minutes allowing the garlic to soften (but not brown) and infuse the oil.
• Meanwhile, boil the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Set the pasta mixture aside to cool.
• Once the pasta is cooled, add the cheese and tomatoes along with the dressing marinade. Season the salad with salt and pepper and top with 3 tablespoons fresh basil.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, salt, red pepper and black pepper; add tomatoes and mozzarella and toss until well coated; let mixture marinate at room temperature at least 30 minutes.
• Cook pasta per package directions; drain; place in a large bowl and add the tomato mixture; toss until well combined, allowing the cheese to melt slightly.
• Serve warm.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine your choice of cubed cheese with the basil, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and black pepper, and stir well, using a fork.
• Add a little more olive oil, as desired, to prevent mixture from becoming too dry.
• Allow sauce to sit while you prepare linguine according to package directions.
• Immediately after draining linguine, toss with sauce and allow to sit for a moment while the cheese melts a bit from the heat of the pasta.
• Stir, serve, and enjoy!

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes, spaghetti, water, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano and oil in a stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
• Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from heat and stir in the basil, mozzarella and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with Parmesan if using.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Combine cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and Thai basil in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Drain pasta and top with cherry tomato mixture.

Steps:

• Cook pasta following package directions, about 9 minutes; drain.
• In a large bowl, stir together the tomatoes, olive oil, olives, capers and balsamic vinegar. Add pasta to the bowl and stir to combine. Fold in mozzarella and basil.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.