Pesto Caprese Pasta Recipe

User Reviews

5.0

132 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    20 mins

  • Servings

    6 servings

  • Calories

    457 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Pesto Caprese Pasta Recipe

Fresh and bright, velvety pesto sauce, creamy mozzarella, sauteed cherry tomatoes bursting with sweetness, and al dente pasta come together in this gorgeous, summery pesto caprese pasta. This dish is bursting with big, fresh flavor - yet is so quick and so simple to throw together!

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Ingredients

Servings

Caprese Pasta

  • 8 8 ounces pasta shells
  • 2 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 1 1 ball mozzarella torn into pieces
  • grated Parmesan cheese to serve

Lemon Pesto

  • 1 1 cup basil leaves packed
  • ½ ½ cup toasted nuts see notes
  • ½ ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese See notes
  • ½ ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ ½ cup water
  • ¼ ¼ cup parsley
  • 2 2 cloves garlic
  • Juice of 2 lemons
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Instructions

  1. Put a large pot of salted water on to boil. When it comes to a boil, add the shells, stirring as you pour them into the pot. Cook the pasta according to the package directions - usually 7-9 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta through a colander.
  2. While the water is heating, prepare the pesto. Place all the pesto ingredients into your blender and blend on high until smooth.
  3. Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and quickly toss to coat them in the oil. Let them cook undisturbed for 2 minutes and then shake the pan and cook them for 2 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat.
  4. Add the cooked pasta, the pesto, and the mozzarella to the pan with the tomatoes and stir together. If needed, add a splash of the pasta water to loosen the sauce - only add as much as you need to make the pasta saucy. Serve the pasta topped with a little freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • While pine nuts are classic in pesto, other nuts work great. We like a combination of almonds and walnuts the best. Pecans and cashews work great, too. To toast the nuts, place them on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-7 minutes, or until they are fragrant.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe Calories 457kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 28g (43%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 18g Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 168mg (7%) Potassium 556mg (16%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1273IU (25%) Vitamin C 46mg (51%) Calcium 162mg (16%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 457 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe
Calories 457kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 28g 43%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 18g 90%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 168mg 7%
Potassium 556mg 12%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1273IU 25%
Vitamin C 46mg 51%
Calcium 162mg 16%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5.0

132 reviews
Excellent

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