Easy Pasta Caprese | Hot Side Dish
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Dive into the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine with this Capellini Caprese recipe. Perfect for those who love the fresh flavors of a classic Caprese salad and the comfort of a warm pasta dish.
This recipe combines the delicate texture of thin pasta with the robust flavors of tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan, making it an ideal choice for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a versatile pasta side dish.
- Serve this hot pasta side dish with Caprese Stuffed chicken, Honey Garlic Lemon chicken, or a simple juicy chicken breast.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Side Dish
Quick and Easy: With a total preparation and cooking time of under 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
Versatile: Serve it as a hot side dish or a main course, adaptable to your dining needs. This recipe is easy to double.
Capellini Caprese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. Angel Hair Pasta (Capellini), cooked and drained.
- Two tablespoons of virgin olive oil
- Two tablespoons Minced Garlic
- One dry pint of grape tomatoes, halved.
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
- One small can of black olives, drained.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Fresh Basil Leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
How to make Pasta Caprese for a Hot Side
Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic and halved grape tomatoes.
Sauté for about 4 minutes or until the garlic slightly browns.
Simmer with Broth and Olives: Pour the chicken broth and add the drained black olives to the skillet.
Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked angel hair pasta to the skillet, sprinkling in the salt for seasoning.
Toss well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the tomato and olive mixture. Continue heating for 3-5 minutes or until the pasta is thoroughly heated.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and gently stir in the chopped fresh basil.
Serve the pasta in bowls or on a serving platter, topped with a generous sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese.
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.
How can I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to moisten the pasta.
What to Serve with Pasta Caprese
This recipe is perfect on its own and is sure to fill you up because of the pasta. 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. That doesn’t mean you can’t serve it cold (still tastes good), the pasta will just be clumped.
Incredible 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. Pin this one here.
Capellini Caprese – Hot Pasta Side Dish
Equipment
- cast iron pan
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb Angel Hair or Capellini pasta cooked and drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 dry pint grape tomatoes cut in half
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 6 oz. black olives whole
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Start by cooking 1/2 lb. of angel hair pasta according to the package instructions. Remember to drain it well once it's cooked.
- Sauté garlic and tomatoes: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and 1 dry pint of halved grape tomatoes. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the garlic starts to brown.
- Add broth and olives: Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth and add the olives from 1 small can. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Combine with pasta: Add the cooked and drained angel hair pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix everything together well.
- Final heating: Continue to heat the mixture for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until everything is heated through.
- Incorporate basil: Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil for a fresh flavor.
- Garnish with cheese: Just before serving, top the pasta with 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Now this is a dish I can have again and again! Delicious!