Description
This One Pot Caprese Pasta is a quick and delicious Italian-inspired dish combining bow tie pasta, fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, and creamy mozzarella cheese. Cooked all in one pot, it’s perfect for a weeknight meal with minimal cleanup while delivering big, fresh flavors reminiscent of traditional Caprese salad.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4½ cups water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound farfalle (bow tie) pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- Balls of fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large stockpot, add the water, olive oil, farfalle pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir briefly to combine all ingredients.
- Cook Pasta Mixture: Place the stockpot over high heat and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 11 to 12 minutes. The pasta should become tender and the water will reduce significantly.
- Rest After Cooking: Remove the pot from the heat and let the pasta sit for 2 minutes. This allows any remaining liquid to absorb while ensuring the pasta is perfectly cooked.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded part skim mozzarella cheese thoroughly until it melts and blends smoothly into the pasta and tomato mixture, creating a creamy texture.
- Season to Taste: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to enhance the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: For an elegant presentation, garnish the pasta with fresh mozzarella balls and extra basil leaves. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your flavorful one pot Caprese pasta.
Notes
- Using part skim mozzarella keeps the dish lighter while still providing creaminess.
- Fresh basil is key to capturing the authentic Caprese flavor; add additional leaves as garnish if desired.
- Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- This recipe can be adapted with gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.
- Serving immediately is recommended to enjoy the best texture and melted cheese consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
