A few weeks ago I received a free trial of one of those food delivery services. I was excited to see bruschetta on the menu. I made the appetizer-sized portions thinking the kids would never dare try them and the hubby and I would have a nice little treat all to ourselves.
But sadly that was not meant to be. Turns out my kids LOVE bruschetta. They ate every last bite, aside from the little taste I had while I was seasoning the dish with salt and pepper.
The girls had asked me a few times to pick up the ingredients so they could make bruschetta again. So when I saw some particularly yummy-looking artisan tomatoes on sale last week, I picked up a several pints, along with some fresh French bread. Got home from the store, dropped off the groceries and ran back out to pick up one of the girls from an after school activity.
When I got back 15 minutes later the French bread was completely gone. The hubby and kids had gotten into it and ate the whole loaf!
With dinnertime looming, I had to scramble to figure out what to cook and it needed to be something fairly quick and easy because I had a Zoom call soon.
Then I remembered a recipe a friend shared with me a while ago for a one-pot caprese pasta that sounded really good and used pretty much the exact same ingredients as the bruschetta. I searched up the recipe, printed it out, and started cooking.
Surprisingly, the recipe was as easy to make as it sounded, AND it smelled amazing. The fragrance drew all the kids, one-by-one, into the kitchen. “Something smells yummy! What’s for dinner?”
I was super excited to taste it. I followed the directions, tossing the mozzarella in with the hot pasta and seasoned it just so. I used our wonderful OXO Good Grips Nylon Spaghetti Server to dig in to the pan and brought up a big molten clump of cheese. Unfortunately, from the heat of the pasta, the mozzarella chunks melted into one globby mess. Other than the muddled mozzarella, the pasta was delicious!
Did some research later and learned a little trick to keep the mozzarella from getting globby and chewy: freeze it for about 10 minutes before adding it to the hot pasta. The mozzarella will thaw to perfection from the heat of the pasta and you will not have a big glob of cheese at the bottom of your pan.
I’ve made this a few times now and each time I have improved on the dish. I really like balsamic vinegar, so I add probably 1/4 cup or more to the pasta. You can adjust this to your own taste; if you want to make it really sing, drizzle a balsamic reduction over the pasta. Don’t be like me and forget to garnish with Parmesan cheese. That little touch really brings the flavor to another level of deliciousness.
The kids favorite variation is when I omit the balsamic vinegar and add about 1/4-1/3 cup of tomato pesto. It is scrumptious and we will definitely be making that version again very soon.
This truly is a one-pot, super simple recipe. Just throw everything into the pan and let the magic happen!
One-Pot Linguine alla Caprese
One-Pot Linguine alla Caprese
This One-Pot Linguine Alla Caprese is a winner! Delicious, and so quick and easy to make. BONUS the cleanup is even easier!
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons high quality olive oil such as Columela Extra-Virgin
- 1 box (16oz) of linguine
- 1 pound cherry/grape tomatoes, quartered (I used a pint)
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons basil leaves, chopped, divided, reserve a few whole leaves for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Litehouse freeze dried garlic (can sub with bottled minced garlic or about 2 freshly minced garlic cloves)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- splash of balsamic vinegar, to taste
- salt and fresh ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces*
- Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
Stovetop:
- In a stockpot, combine water, olive oil, pasta, tomatoes, 1/3 cup basil, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Cook over high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and continue to cook for 11 to 12 minutes, or until pasta is thoroughly cooked and water reduced. Stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat and let stand 2-3 minutes.
- Add mozzarella, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar, gently toss to combine.
- Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil; adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice or sugar, if desired.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar/balsamic reduction, garnish with grated parmesan cheese and a whole basil leaf. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Instant Pot:
- Set Instant Pot to saute. Heat oil and add garlic, saute for about one minute, until it's fragrant but not browning, then add basil, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Mix Well.
- Pour in 1 1/2 cups water and add the pasta. Stir.
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual for 5 minutes, high pressure, be sure the pressure valve is set to "sealing".
- When done, quick release the pressure, open the lid, and stir to mix.
- Remove the pasta to a serving bowl/platter, add mozzarella, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil and stir, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar/balsamic reduction.
- Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and a whole basil leaf. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
*NOTE: place mozzarella on plate and freeze until slightly firm, about 10 minutes. Freezing prevents it from getting chewy or congealing into one giant blob of cheese when it comes in contact with the hot pasta.
One Pot Tomato Pesto Linguine: omit the balsamic vinegar and add about 1/4-1/3 cup of tomato pesto.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 244Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 357mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 11g
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
What is your favorite one-pot recipe?
Yum! This sounds like a delicious weeknight meal. Can’t wait to try it!
Never thought of making a dish like this all in one pot. I am totally going to try it. Looks delish!
That looks really good and simple too. I think I actually cook this meal myself. I wouldn’t have to rely on the hubs.
Yummm… This looks so good! I have just saved this recipe and going to try it ASAP!
This looks so good! I’ve been meaning to incorporate more one pot meals in my life and this is one everyone will love!
That’s pretty awesome. I am loving all these pasta recipes that fellow bloggers are posting lately. I’m a huge fan of pasta! I wouldn’t mind giving this recipe a try, it looks so easy to make.
I love one pot meals! I know that I’d love this, but my kids hate tomatoes. What is wrong with them? 🙂 This looks super tasty.
I have all of these ingredients – I want to try this tonight!
Yumm! This looks like a fabulous recipe. Who doesn’t like pasta! Great post!
Hadn’t ever thought to make this in one pot–it looks so yummy! going to have to try it out-need to try something different and shake it up a bit
This one pot linguine looks so delicious… I am a huge fan of pasta, can’t wait to try this recipe
I have never made a dish like this before. The one pot linguine alla caprese looks so delicious and it is so easy to make. I am going to be making this for sure. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Yum! I’ll have to try this with our favorite gluten-free pasta! Thanks for the dinner inspo 😉
It’s compact when it comes to presentation. I would surely love this and would be glad to try it.
That One-Pot Linguine all Caprese looks super delicious. I’m a big pasta and Linguine fan so I’ll definitely have to try this our for myself soon.
I have never done anything with that spaghetti sauce before believe it or not. This looks a heck of a lot tastier than what I have made in the past so I’m going to try it.
Love one-pot meals!
Wow this really is a great recipe idea and super easy enough to make! I love linguine!
anything quick easy and delicious like this goes on the menu! this looks so good! will save it and check out your ice cream in a bag post too!
You had me at one pot! I always enjoy caprese salads so I am sure that this caprese pasta would be right up my alley.
Oh yum! This sounds like the perfect pasta meal for me. I’d love to try the version with tomato pesto too.
My husband will love this! Thank you for sharing! Pinned!
Delicious and easy? I’m sold! I can’t wait to try this.
That looks amazing! I LOVE one pot recipes! I hate doing dishes!
Oh yes, my family LOVES pasta, so I will be making this for dinner one night. I love how easy it is!
This is a dish that my daughters would love! I can’t wait to make it for them
This looks delicious. I need to make it for the family!
I am all about one pot meals! This one looks so good. Caprese is my favorite.
I’m a sucker when it comes to new pasta recipes. I can’t wait to try this savory dish.
You had me at one pot. I love simplifying things so that I don’t have a big mess to clean up when done cooking.
This looks delicious! I love easy and delicious recipes like this, I’m sure it will be a favorite in my house too.
I love the flavor of Caprese! I am sure I will love this pasta dish!
When you have a small family like us I think subscribing to food delivery is worth it. Delicious and your family meal is always fresh.
This looks very good! I can’t wait to try it with my instant pot.
Oh my I’m in the midst of watching Stanley Tucci making his way around Italy and it has be desperately wanting to eat pasta!
This looks very good! I can’t wait to try it with my instant pot. Thank you for sharing.