Caprese Pasta with Fresh Basil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and fragrant basil for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor burst. This italian-inspired pasta (mediterranean) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (spaghetti) pasta, cubed mozzarella balls, chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1 tsp salt; cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Toss cooked pasta into the skillet, adding 1/4 cup pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir in 1 cup cubed mozzarella until melted and evenly coated.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil leaves.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Caprese Pasta with Fresh Basil take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Caprese Pasta with Fresh Basil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (spaghetti) pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Caprese Pasta with Fresh Basil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Caprese Pasta with Fresh Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Caprese Pasta with Fresh Basil?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes