Pasta Caprese

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time30

Cook Time10

Total Time40

Course: Main Dishes

Keyword: cooking, food, Italian, Pasta, recipe

Servings: servings

Calories: 465kcal

Author: Barbara Schieving

Ingredients

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 teaspoon fresh lemon juice see note above
1 small garlic clove -- minced about ½ teaspoon
1 small shallot -- minced fine about 2 tablespoons
Table salt and ground black pepper
1 ½ lbs ripe tomatoes -- cored seeded, and cut into
½- inch dice
12 ounce fresh mozzarella cheese -- cut into ½-inch cubes see note
1 lbs penne pasta or other short tubular or curly pasta such as fusilli or campanelle
¼ cup chopped fresh basil I didn't have fresh and used dried
1 teaspoon sugar see note

Instructions

Whisk oil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, garlic, shallot, ½ teaspoon salt,and ¼ teaspoon pepper together in large bowl. Add tomatoes and gentlytoss to combine; set aside. Do not marinate tomatoes for longer than 45 minutes.
While tomatoes are marinating, place mozzarella on plate and freeze until slightly firm, about 10 minutes.
Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in stockpot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta, stir to separate, and cook until al dente. Drain well.
Add pasta and mozzarellato tomato mixture and gently toss to combine. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in basil; adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice or sugar, if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Note: This dish will be very warm, not hot. The success of this recipe depends on high-quality ingredients, including ripe, in-season tomatoes and a fruity olive oil. Don't skip the step of freezing the mozzarella, as freezing prevents it from turning chewy when it comes in contact with the hot pasta. If handmade buffalo- or cows-milk mozzarella is available (its commonly found in gourmet and cheese shops packed in water), I recommend using it, but skip the step of freezing and add it to the tomatoes while marinating. Additional lemon juice or up to 1 teaspoon sugar can be added at the end to taste, depending on the ripeness of the tomatoes.

Nutrition