Easy Penne Caprese

penne caprese with tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil in a bowl.

Try this easy Penne Caprese recipe with fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. With just a few ingredients, you can have a tasty pasta dish ready in about 20 minutes.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 349kcal

Author Adina

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Large pot
Colander

Ingredients

10 oz cherry tomatoes 300 g, Note 1
1 ball of mozzarella full fat
3 tablespoons olive oil more to taste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove grated
fine sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
9 oz penne 250 g, Note 2
2 large sprigs of basil about 15 leaves, more to taste

Instructions

Tomatoes and mozzarella: Halve or quarter the tomatoes and place them in a large bowl. Add torn or chopped mozzarella, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the mixture stand while you cook the pasta.
10 oz cherry tomatoes / 300 g + 1 ball of mozzarella + 3 tablespoons olive oil + 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar + 1 garlic clove + fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt generously, then the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente (according to the packet’s instructions). Drain well in a colander.
9 oz penne/ 250 g
Combine: Add the cooked penne to the tomato and mozzarella bowl and stir to combine. Adjust the taste with vinegar, salt, and pepper as needed. Mix in the torn basil leaves just before serving.
2 large sprigs of basil
Serve the dish immediately as a warm main meal or refrigerate it, covered, to serve as a pasta salad. Bring it to room temperature, adjust the taste again, and add fresh basil just before serving.

Notes

Tomatoes: You can use other types of small tomatoes or even ripe, flavorful, regular-sized tomatoes chopped into smaller pieces.
Pasta: You can use any other short pasta you like.

Nutrition