Easy Pasta Caprese | Hot Side Dish

Bold flavors of tomato, basil, and garlic make up this Easy Pasta Caprese.

Perfect for a hot side dish, the vibrant colors, and beautiful flavors make up a meal done in mere minutes.

You cannot go wrong with balancing the hearty filling of pasta with the light taste of tomatoes and olives. It’s a traditional dish that easily converts to a dinner recipe with a few fun additives, so let’s start on this unique one-pan meal now.

While I specialize in side dish recipes (because, let’s face it, there’s so much variety there!), much of what I publish can easily be used as a main dish or with a light vegetarian flare.

This pasta Caprese is no exception. It’s incredibly versatile and makes a great side dish for chicken or pork.

Plus, pasta is a major comfort food and can be heated up and enjoyed for many days on end. I also love how Italian recipes get better with time, so sticking them in the fridge for another day’s meal or menu is usually just fine.

Looking for more Caprese Recipes?

Everyone loves an excuse to eat tomatoes and mozzarella! It’s hands down one of my favorite ways to create a recipe, so you will find many Caprese choices here on my site.

Create a mind-blowing appetizer table with these recipes:

• Ensalada Caprese
• Best Caprese Pizza 
• Caprese Salad
• Caprese Sliders
• Caprese Salad Salsa
• Caprese Lady Bug Appetizer

Pasta Caprese Recipe

As you will note in the recipe, this pasta Caprese doesn’t have balsamic vinegar or a balsamic drizzle on it, but by all means, right before serving, feel free to drizzle your tomatoes with some homemade balsamic reduction.

Scroll to the bottom for a printable version of this post, including all measurements and instructions, so you can follow along in your kitchen without being on your phone.

Here are the ingredients you need to gather to get started:

• angel hair pasta
• olive oil
• minced garlic
• grape tomatoes
• chicken broth
• black olives
• salt
• fresh basil
• shredded Parmesan cheese

I think when we hear Caprese we automatically think of a traditional tomato salad mixed with Mozzarella Ciliegine.

This pasta Caprese, however, is made up of fresh shredded Parmesan cheese, which melts perfectly in the angel hair pasta while also giving it a delicious taste.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use fresh mozzarella or mozzarella balls in this dish. In fact, I encourage you to try it out!

Honestly, I try to think of any excuse in the world to throw cheese on a recipe.

What to Serve with Pasta Caprese

This recipe is perfect on its own and, because of the pasta, is also certain to fill you up. That being said, adding grilled chicken or mahi mahi as a main dish works fantastic.

Unfortunately, this dish is best served hot because the pasta will stick if served cold.

Tools used to make Pasta Caprese

Making sure you have your kitchen prepped is probably the key to all cooking! I find nothing more frustrating than going through the cabinets trying to locate where my daughter put things after she emptied the dishwasher.

Pulling out these things will help you stay focused:

• Cast Iron Pan – I love cooking with a cast iron pan. I feel like it brings out the flavor of everything, and the heat cooks more evenly. I have a variety of “Lodge” cast iron skillet. If this is your first time using it, ensure you get a handle cover as well because they heat up.
• Tongs: Tongs work best to serve and move around thin pasta

How to make Pasta Caprese

Pre-cook your angel hair pasta al dente. No one likes soggy pasta!

In a large cast iron skillet, add garlic, olive oil, and grape or cherry tomatoes. This is a one-pot, one-pan, one-skillet dish, so yay!

Cook for 4 minutes on medium heat until garlic begins to brown.

Add chicken broth and olives and simmer for 5 minutes letting all that garlic permeate your kitchen.

Stir in your already cooked pasta and salt and mix well.

Heat for an additional 3-5 minutes or until heated through.

Now toss in fresh basil and season with salt and pepper.

Put in a large bowl, and top with shredded cheese right before serving.

Note: Serve with balsamic vinegar reduction on the side for those interested!

This recipe is perfect on its own, and Pasta Caprese is so freaking good the way it is, but it’s also really easy to pan-fry or grill up some chicken and add on top for a complete main dish meal.