Pasta caprese

Of course, caprese pasta is a simple and fresh dish that echoes the flavors of caprese salad. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320 g of short pasta (penne, fusilli or farfalle)
• 250 g of cherry tomatoes
• 200 g of buffalo mozzarella
• Fresh basil to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste (optional)

Preparation

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package to achieve an al dente texture.
2. In the meantime, wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half or into quarters, depending on the size.
3. Drain the mozzarella and cut it into cubes.
4. Wash and dry some basil leaves, then tear them with your hands or cut them with a knife if you prefer.
5. Once the pasta is ready, drain it and cool it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it quickly. This step is important to maintain the pasta’s texture and not to cook the tomatoes and mozzarella with the residual heat.
6. Place the pasta in a large bowl and add the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and torn basil.
7. Season with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and, if you like, a grind of black pepper.
8. Gently mix all the ingredients until the pasta is well dressed.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or olive oil if necessary.
10. Let the caprese pasta rest for a few minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to blend well.

You can serve caprese pasta as a main dish or as a cold dish ideal for summer picnics. If you prefer, you can also add some black olives for an extra touch of flavor or a pinch of oregano for a Mediterranean aroma.

Curiosity

Caprese pasta is named after the eponymous caprese salad, a specialty of the island of Capri, which traditionally includes only tomato, mozzarella, and basil, symbolizing the colors of the Italian flag.