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–+ servings
a bowl of angel hair pasta mixed with mozzarella cheese, fresh chopped tomatoes, and fresh torn basil.
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5 from 4 votes

Caprese Pasta For One

This single serving Caprese pasta is made with tender pasta, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic. It’s a quick, flavorful meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: basil, caprese pasta, mozzarella cheese, pasta, spaghetti, tomatoes
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Joanie Zisk

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
US - Metric

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

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 591kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 615mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 255mg | Iron: 1mg

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