Pasta alla Caprese

Pasta alla Caprese is a vibrant dairy-free dish that celebrates the fresh flavors of ripe tomatoes, basil, and garlic, all tossed with your favorite pasta. This light yet satisfying meal captures the essence of the classic Caprese salad in a comforting, warm pasta form.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or your choice) - 160 grams
• Cherry tomatoes - 250 grams, halved
• Fresh basil leaves - 20 grams, roughly torn
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Balsamic vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Pine nuts - 30 grams, toasted

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften and release their juices.
4. Stir in the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss everything together to combine and heat through for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and gently fold in the fresh basil and toasted pine nuts.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 65 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Water: 0.25 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from tomatoes and basil, which can help reduce inflammation.
• Provides healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, supporting cardiovascular health.

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