Caprese Noodles: A Simple and Delicious Summer Meal
- Carbohydrate 6.51327571990582 g
- Cholesterol 24.1915930453333 mg
- Fat 6.85710543695367 g
- Fiber 1.56753339128505 g
- Protein 10.4698257388408 g
- Saturated Fat 3.93806968847987 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (223g)
- Sodium 266.402647318791 mg
- Sugar 4.94574232862077 g
- Trans Fat 0.404866593802175 g
- Calories 126 calories
Step-by-step
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain.
- Meanwhile, in a heavy large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and saute just until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add the cheese and basil, and toss to coat. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve.
Pairing with Proteins and Greens
Traditional caprese salads rely on raw cold ingredients, whereas this warm cooked iteration pairs exceptionally well with grilled flank steak or pan-seared white fish. Acidic green salads dressed simply with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil cut through the richness of the melted mozzarella. Salt your pasta cooking water until it tastes like seawater to properly season the interior of the ditalini before it meets the sauce. Add the fresh mozzarella off the heat so the cheese softens into pillowy pockets rather than melting into a stringy mass.
Managing Tomato Moisture
Roma tomatoes contain fewer seed cavities and less free water than globe varieties, making them ideal for quick sautés where excess liquid would dilute the pan sauce. Seed the tomatoes thoroughly before chopping to prevent the residual water from pooling in the bottom of your heavy skillet. Cook the minced garlic over medium heat for precisely 60 seconds until aromatic, watching closely because small pieces burn quickly and turn bitter.
Equipment and Alternatives
A heavy cast-iron skillet retains heat better than thin aluminum pans, ensuring even warmth distribution when tossing the pasta. Substitute rigatoni or penne if small short pasta is unavailable, keeping the boiling time strictly to package directions for an al dente bite.
