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This single serving Caprese pasta is a quick and flavorful dish made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic. Ready in just 20 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and quick steps.
- Full of Flavor: Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil make every bite satisfying.
- Easily Doubled: Want a second serving? Just double the ingredients.
If you love Caprese salad, you’re going to love this pasta. It’s everything I enjoy—juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil—tossed with tender pasta and a little garlic. This single serving Caprese pasta comes together quickly and is packed with fresh flavor. It’s just the right amount for one, with no leftovers to worry about. I make it often and I think you’ll want to, too.
Looking for more single serving pasta recipes? Try my Mediterranean Pasta with Shrimp, zesty Pasta al Limone, classic Shrimp Scampi, or comforting Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve Caprese pasta recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Pasta: Use 2 ounces (57g) of dry pasta for one serving. I like angel hair pasta, which measures about 2 1/8 inches around when portioned and yields 1 cup cooked. Any pasta shape will work. Leftover pasta can be used in Pesto Pasta or Buttered Noodles.
- Tomatoes: Use 2 ripe Roma tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are a convenient option, and sun-dried tomatoes add a deeper flavor. Extra tomatoes can be used in Ratatouille or Cioppino.
- Garlic: I use 2 cloves for more flavor, but you can use 1 if preferred.
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil for its quality and flavor, but light olive oil works too.
- Mozzarella cheese: Fresh mozzarella is best, but a vegan alternative can be used. Leftover mozzarella can go in Lasagna Rollups or Stuffed Shells.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Use one or two of these herbs if you don’t have the mix.
- Basil: Fresh basil adds bright flavor and aroma.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated for the best taste.
Recipe Variations
Caprese Pasta is easy to customize. Here are a few simple ways to change it up:
- Caprese Pasta Salad: Toss cooked and cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Add a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper for a refreshing side or light meal.
- Chicken Caprese Pasta: Add cooked chicken for extra protein. Season the chicken with Italian herbs for added flavor.
- Caprese Pasta Bake: Combine cooked pasta, chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, a drizzle of olive oil, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of marinara sauce. Transfer to a small baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and Parmesan, and bake until bubbly and lightly golden.
How To Make Caprese Pasta
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Pro Tip: Salting the water helps season the pasta from within, giving it more flavor.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring often, until softened and slightly saucy.
Note: Sautéing helps concentrate the tomatoes’ flavor and reduces their acidity.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
- Add Final Ingredients: Remove from heat. Stir in mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan.
- Season and Serve: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Sauté the garlic: Cooking garlic in olive oil helps mellow its sharpness and brings out its flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente: Slightly firm pasta holds its shape and texture better in this dish.
- Don’t rinse the pasta: Draining without rinsing keeps the natural starches, which help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Serve right away: The warm pasta gently melts the mozzarella, creating a soft, creamy texture that’s best enjoyed immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dish is best enjoyed right after making it, while the mozzarella is slightly melted and the pasta is warm.
This recipe is meant for one, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat gently.
Yes, just double all the ingredients to make two servings.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy Caprese pasta or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Caprese Pasta For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces angel hair pasta (measures about 2 ⅛ inch around when held in a bundle) yields approximately 1 cup of cooked pasta.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil -divided
- 2 cloves garlic -chopped
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 ripe Roma tomatoes -chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon salt -plus more for salting the pasta water
- 1 ounce fresh mozzarella cheese -cut into ½-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.Pro Tip: Adding a hefty pinch of salt to the water helps season the pasta from within, giving it more flavor.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a 10-inch skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring often, until softened and slightly saucy.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
- Add Final Ingredients: Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Season and Serve: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Sauté the garlic: Cooking garlic in olive oil helps mellow its sharpness and brings out its flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente: Slightly firm pasta holds its shape and texture better in this dish.
- Don’t rinse the pasta: Draining without rinsing keeps the natural starches, which help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Serve right away: The warm pasta gently melts the mozzarella, creating a soft, creamy texture that’s best enjoyed immediately.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Just amazing light refreshing and so simple. I will be making this often thank you so much.
I followed the recipe and used heirloom tomato I picked up from our farmer’s market. Exceptionally good! Nourished body and soul, thank you.
Good recipe.