This Caprese pasta uses ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil to create a tasty pasta dish based on the delicious flavors of a Caprese salad. This 30-minute recipe is served warm for an easy, comforting meal.

caprese pasta in a bowl
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If you’ve ever had a traditional Caprese salad, you know that the combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is hard to beat, especially when tomatoes are in peak season! I decided to take those flavors that I love in a salad and turn them into a pasta dish! While I’ve seen variations of this recipe to be served as a cold pasta salad, this pasta dish is served warm. If you want to add more protein to this dish, try adding my tempeh meatballs on top!

caprese pasta ingredients

Caprese Pasta Ingredients

  • Pasta– I recommend using a short, tubular pasta like rigatoni, rotini, or another smaller noodle. You can use traditional pasta or chickpea pasta.
  • Olive oil– This adds a rich flavor to the homemade tomato sauce.
  • Garlic, oregano, & crushed red pepper- These spices add body and flavor to the sauce. I like the spicy flavor of crushed red pepper but if you don’t want to make this dish spicy, you can leave it out.
  • Tomatoes– I used “on the vine” tomatoes but any type of fresh tomato is fine. You can even use cherry or grape tomatoes.
  • Mozzarella– I recommend using fresh mozzarella instead of shredded, as I think the texture of fresh mozzarella is nice in this dish. But you can use shredded if that’s what you’ve got!
  • Basil– A sprinkle of fresh basil is essential for the traditional Caprese salad flavors!

How to Make Caprese Pasta

Cook the pasta according to package directions.
Chop the tomatoes and cook in olive oil until tomatoes break down.
Once the tomatoes have broken down, stir in the pasta.
Caprese-Pasta slillet
Top with mozzarella and basil and cover for 2 minutes to allow the mozzarella to melt.

Tips and Tricks

  • If your pasta has cooled before your sauce is done cooking, toss it with sauce and continue to cook over low heat, stirring until the pasta is warm again. This will help melt the cheese when you add the mozzarella on top.
  • If you wanted to make this pasta creamy, try stirring in 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese into the sauce just before adding the pasta. It’ll give you lasagna vibes!
  • You can use any type of pasta you like, although I do recommend sticking to a short pasta shape. If you want to make this recipe higher in protein and fiber, I recommend using chickpea pasta.
  • Looking for a high protein pasta sauce? Try my cottage cheese pasta sauce!

What to Serve with Pasta

Looking for the perfect side dish? I have a list of the best sides to serve with pasta to give you plenty of ideas! I’d recommend pairing it with this warm kale salad and a sourdough baguette. (I keep my freezer stocked with Wildgrain sourdough bread!) But you could also enjoy this pasta with a side of air fryer broccoli or even butternut squash fries!

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Caprese-Pasta

Caprese Pasta

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

This Caprese pasta uses ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil to create a tasty pasta dish based on the delicious flavors of a Caprese salad. This 30-minute recipe is served warm for an easy, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 12oz pasta (rigatoni, rotini, etc.)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2lbs on the vine tomatoes, chopped
  • 4oz fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces
  • Handful fresh basil, chopped

    Instructions

    1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
    2. In a large skillet, add olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes.
    3. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until the tomatoes are broken down.
    4. Add the cooked pasta and stir to combine, then top with mozzarella.
    5. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes to allow the mozzarella to melt.
    6. Sprinkle with basil just before serving.