Baked Caprese Pasta
on Aug 09, 2023
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I know the juggling act of parenthood can be a challenge, but dinner doesn’t have to be. Today, I’m thrilled to present a dinner solution that’s as easy as it is delicious – Baked Caprese Pasta! This hearty meal embodies the essence of comfort, flavor, and convenience. Let’s dive into why this dinner is a real game-changer for busy parents and families like you.
Why Baked Caprese Pasta Is Great:
1. Effortless Elegance: In the realm of effortless elegance, Baked Caprese Pasta reigns supreme. With just a handful of quality ingredients, you can create a gourmet-inspired dinner that looks and tastes like a masterpiece, all without spending hours in the kitchen.
2. Bursting with Freshness: The star of this dish is the vibrant cherry tomatoes. As they roast in the oven, they release their natural sweetness, infusing every bite with a burst of freshness that your family will adore.
3. Wholesome Ingredients: When it comes to feeding our loved ones, quality ingredients are key. Baked Caprese Pasta brings together cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, mozzarella pearls, and cavatappi pasta – all combining to create a meal that’s wholesome and satisfying.
4. Time-Saving Magic: As a busy parent, time is your most precious resource. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Just mix the tomatoes with olive oil and minced garlic, bake them for 25 minutes, then add in the basil, mozzarella, and pasta. Voilà! Dinner is served.
5. Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Families come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing’s for sure – everyone loves a comforting, pasta dish. Baked Caprese Pasta has a universal appeal that will have even the pickiest eaters asking for seconds.
Why I Like Using A Pyrex Baking Dish:
You can use any baking dish you have! I use a 9×13 Pyrex baking dish. Why do I love using a Pyrex baking sheet for this recipe? Pyrex has been a kitchen staple for generations, and for good reason. Its durability, even heat distribution, and ease of cleaning make it an essential tool for busy parents. The transparency of Pyrex also allows you to see the delicious transformation of your dish as it bakes – from raw ingredients to a beautiful, golden masterpiece.
What You Will Need:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Fresh basil
- Mozzarella pearls
- Cavatappi pasta- or other pasta you like
Substitutions:
- Minced garlic- you can use 6 cloves of garlic and mince it.
- Cavatappi pasta- use any pasta you would like.
Instructions:
Step 1: Roasting the Tomatoes Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and minced garlic. Give them a gentle toss to ensure they’re coated evenly. Make sure that the olive oil completely covers the garlic or it could burn. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and slightly caramelized.
Step 2: Bake the Noodles Cook the cavatappi noodles according to the package.
Step 3: Adding the Goodness Remove the baking dish from the oven and gently stir in the chopped basil, mozzarella pearls, and cooked cavatappi pasta. The residual heat will melt the mozzarella a little bit.
Step 4: Serve and Savor Serve your Baked Caprese Pasta straight from the baking dish, reveling in the beauty of a family-friendly meal that’s both visually appealing and utterly delicious.
Storage
Store this in the fridge for 3 days!
Baked Caprese Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
- 8 oz mozarella pearls
- 8 oz noddles , I used cavatappi
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Pour cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic into a baking dish. (Make sure the olive oil is completely covering the garlic or it will burn).
- Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until cherry tomatoes start to burst.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package.
- Once the tomatoes are done, drain pasta and mix it in with the tomatoes, olive oil and garlic. Add in basil and mozzarella.
- Stir until it all combined and enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very easy, relatively quick meal to make. My toddler loved tearing the mozzarella apart and pouring the olive oil. My husband liked it so much he suggested adding it to our standard meal rotation.
I’m so glad you liked it!!
Made this for dinner and my toddler asked for more! My husband loved it too. Such an easy add to the week night rotation and fun to use different types of cheese! I did add a spoonful of plain greek yogurt just to thicken up the tomato sauce a little bit!
I am so glad to hear it was a hit!