Caprese Pasta

Caprese Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the classic elements of a Caprese salad with al dente pasta. It's a light yet satisfying meal, perfect for a quick dinner or a weekend lunch.

Ingredients

• Pasta (fusilli or penne) - 200 grams
• Cherry tomatoes - 200 grams, halved
• Fresh mozzarella balls - 150 grams, halved
• Fresh basil leaves - 15 grams, roughly torn
• Extra virgin olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Balsamic vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes and garlic, along with the reserved pasta water.
7. Stir in the fresh mozzarella balls, torn basil leaves, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste.
8. Toss everything gently until the mozzarella start to melt slightly and the pasta is well coated.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 485
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Cholesterol: 30 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from cherry tomatoes and basil.
• Provides good protein and calcium from mozzarella.

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