Caprese Pasta Salad
This delicious Caprese Pasta Salad is a fun play on a classic salad of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil, but with a few additions. The added pasta is perfectly seasoned with garlic, oregano and crushed red peppers, but best of all…you make it all in one pot for easy peasy caprese. Sorry, that was cheesy.
Ok, I know that’s not how it’s pronounced, but I got carried away. Caprese more closely rhymes with crazy, or craze-ay, which I resemble.
So, back to the recipe, cleanup is so much easier when you use only one pot, which is one reason why I love this recipe.
When you first make it, the basil is strong tasting, which is great if you love basil. But listen, refrigerate it for an hour or so, and wow, those flavors blend together so beautifully. I will always refrigerate it first in the future.
Making a Caprese Pasta Salad
Using a large pot or Dutch oven, add the water, tomatoes, spaghetti, garlic, salt, oregano, red peppers, and olive oil.
Bring this to a boil, then reduce the heat so that everything simmers for about 12 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Read the package your spaghetti came in for timing on when the pasta would be al dente. That’s how long you should cook it. Most are 10 – 12 minutes.
Once the pasta is al dente, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the chopped basil and grated mozzarella.
Without getting cheesy, I mentioned this was easy, right?
At this point, I like to taste the salad and see if it needs any salt and/or pepper. It usually does.
Also, don’t be surprised if the basil flavor comes through strong at first. It tastes great, but if you refrigerate the salad now, for at least an hour, the flavors meld together beautifully.
When that happens, you taste all the flavors; the tomatoes, the pasta, the mozzarella, as well as the basil.
Delicious, and really a simple side dish or meal to put together in a short time.
Lastly, should you choose, garnish with some shaved Parmesan cheese.
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Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped (or diced canned)
- 1 lb. uncooked spaghetti
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (or more for added heat)
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed and finely chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- GARNISH: shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, place the water, tomatoes, spaghetti, garlic, salt, oregano, red peppers, and olive oil. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 10 – 12 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally.
- When the pasta is al dente, remove pot from heat. Stir in the basil and mozzarella cheese. Taste; add salt or pepper as necessary.
- Garnish with optional shaved Parmesan cheese.
- While you can serve immediately, this dish tastes even better after refrigeration. Give it an hour, then…Enjoy!
Nutrition
Caprese Pasta Salad
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A quick mention of this wonderful blank recipe book that I helped to create with a very dear friend. Write in one or more recipes before giving it to that special person, then they can fill the remaining pages with their favorites, and/or have other special people write out recipes for them. It’s personal, and yes, it takes time and effort — something we’ve gotten away from with all this technology. Check it out HERE where you can order a hard or soft cover. Once there, click on READ SAMPLE to see the pages within. I especially like the “measurements and conversions” page. Also, I make no money from any sales, I just love the idea of this book. Missing my mom as I do, seeing her handwriting always makes me feel closer to her. Give that gift to someone else by writing out a favorite recipe.