CREAMY CAPRESE PASTA is made with fresh cherry tomatoes, basil & fresh mozzarella covered in a creamy sauce for a dinner you'll crave!
Course Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 35 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 6to 8 servings
Calories 491kcal
Author Sandra McCollum
Ingredients
1poundyour favorite pasta noodles
2cupsmarinara sauce
⅔cupheavy cream or half and half
⅔cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheese
8-12ouncesfresh mozzarella balls
1pintof grape tomatoescut in half
½ - ⅔cupfresh basil leavesroughly chopped + more for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook pasta according to directions.
While pasta is cooking saucepan add tomatoes sauce and heavy cream over medium heat until it starts to simmer, reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese. Continuously stir over low heat until the pasta has finished cooking.
Drain pasta and set back into the large saucepan and add sauce, stir to combine.
Add tomatoes, fresh Mozzarella balls, I used 12 ounces to make it extra cheesy, but 8 ounces will work as well and 1/2 cup of basil, or more if you desire. Stir to combine. And place right into the oven, if you are using an oven safe sauce pan or spray with cooking oil a baking dish and add pasta to the dish.
Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese has melted.
Remove from oven, top with freshly chopped basil and Parmesan cheese.
Optional garnish - balsamic vinegar glaze, my son and I loved this addition!