Pasta Caprese Food

PASTA CAPRESE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, salt, red pepper and black pepper; add tomatoes and mozzarella and toss until well coated; let mixture marinate at room temperature at least 30 minutes.
• Cook pasta per package directions; drain; place in a large bowl and add the tomato mixture; toss until well combined, allowing the cheese to melt slightly.
• Serve warm.

CAPRESE PASTA

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• While the water comes to a boil, prepare the tomatoes: Halve the tomatoes crosswise, squeeze excess juice from the tomatoes into a bowl large enough to hold the pasta once it's cooked, chop the tomatoes, and add the chopped tomatoes to their juices in the bowl.
• Peel and mince the garlic if you want to use it, and add it to the tomatoes. Pour in the olive oil to tomatoes and toss to combine.
• Remove the leaves from the basil stems, stack them up, and cut them crosswise into ribbons .
• Add three-quarters of the basil to the tomatoes; set aside the rest to use as a garnish.
• Dice the mozzarella. Add half of the mozzarella to the tomatoes (it will melt a bit with the pasta) and reserve the rest to add at the end.
• Add enough salt to the boiling water to make it taste as salty as the sea (about 1 tablespoon salt to 2 quarts of water). Seriously, you want the water seasoned enough so that the pasta gets a bit of seasoning as it cooks and brings it to the whole dish.
• When the water boils, add the pasta and cook it until it's tender to the bite. Drain and quickly add the pasta to the bowl with the tomato mixture in it. Toss well to combine everything thoroughly-the heat from the pasta will melt the cheese a bit, the pasta will absorb a bit of the tomato juices, and the tossing will help emulsify the tomato juice and olive oil into a real sauce.
• Divide the pasta between 4 to 6 servings bowls and top with the remaining mozzarella and garnish with the remaining basil.
• Serve and enjoy.

ONE-POT CAPRESE PASTA

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes, spaghetti, water, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano and oil in a stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
• Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from heat and stir in the basil, mozzarella and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with Parmesan if using.

PASTA CAPRESE

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, shallot and garlic in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add sugar, if desired (depending on the sweetness of your tomatoes). Add the tomatoes and gently toss. Marinate at room temperature, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain in a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking.
• Add the pasta and mozzarella to the tomato mixture and toss. Stir in the basil and lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, tossing occasionally, until serving.

SHRIMP & PASTA CAPRESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions, cook 2 min. Stir in tomatoes; cook 2 min. Add shrimp; cook 2 min. or until heated through, stirring frequently.
• Drain pasta; place in large bowl. Add shrimp mixture; mix lightly. Top with cheese.

PESTO PASTA CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
• Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper in a bowl; add rotini. Toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.