This recipe is incredibly straightforward and comes together in under 30 minutes. Follow these simple steps for a delicious and satisfying Caprese Pasta.

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. “Al dente” means “to the tooth” in Italian, and refers to pasta that is cooked but still firm to the bite. This prevents mushy pasta and provides the best texture. While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the rest of the ingredients. Remember to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining – this starchy water is liquid gold and will help create a beautifully emulsified sauce.
2. Prepare the Tomatoes and Garlic: While the pasta cooks, prepare your fresh ingredients. Wash and halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes. Mince the garlic cloves finely. Having these ingredients prepped and ready to go will make the cooking process even faster.
3. Sauté the Garlic (Optional but Recommended): For a richer flavor, you can gently sauté the garlic in olive oil. In a large skillet or pot (large enough to hold all the pasta later), heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. If you prefer a brighter, fresher flavor, you can skip this step and add the garlic raw to the pasta later.
4. Combine Ingredients: Once the pasta is cooked al dente, drain it, reserving that precious pasta water. Immediately add the hot pasta to the skillet with the sautéed garlic (or a large bowl if you skipped the sautéing step). Pour in the remaining olive oil (if you didn’t sauté garlic), halved cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped fresh basil.
5. Add Pasta Water and Toss: Pour in about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. The starchy water will help create a light and creamy sauce as it emulsifies with the olive oil and cheese. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly to combine. The heat from the pasta will slightly melt the mozzarella, creating a lovely creamy texture. If the pasta seems a bit dry, add a little more pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired sauce consistency.
6. Season to Perfection: Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remember that mozzarella is quite mild, so don’t be shy with the salt. If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
7. Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze (Optional but Delicious): For an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal, drizzle balsamic glaze over the pasta just before serving. The sweet and tangy balsamic glaze complements the fresh flavors beautifully and adds a touch of sophistication.
8. Serve Immediately: Caprese Pasta is best served immediately while it’s warm and the mozzarella is still slightly melted and gooey. Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese (if using) for a final touch. Enjoy!