This Warm Caprese Pasta Is Super Fresh and Super Easy|Recipes Spots

Bowl of 5-ingredient warm caprese pasta at a table setting with a table napkin, salt and pepper shaker, and a small bowl of basil — Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Nothing quite compares to peak summer tomatoes. We love celebrating their sweetness by cooking them down in loads of olive oil, adding vinegar, tossing them with cooked pasta, and stirring in fresh basil and mozzarella cheese pearls. This tastes great, both warm and at room temperature.

A Simple Meal That Sings With Good Ingredients

This is one of those recipes that will only be as good as the ingredients you use.

Tomatoes: Look for cherry tomatoes that are uniform in color, have a tomatoey smell, and feel heavy for their size. If cherry tomatoes aren’t looking good, use chopped beefsteak or plum tomatoes, and cook them until they break down.
Fresh mozzarella: If mozzarella cheese isn’t available, try a fresh farmer’s cheese with a mild flavor similar to mozzarella cheese.
Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil runs the gamut of flavor, from fruity to pepper to bitter. My favorite brand of olive oil is California Olive Ranch Medium; it has the perfect amount of fruitiness and grassiness without being overwhelming.

Bowl of 5-ingredient warm caprese pasta at a table setting with a table napkin, salt and pepper shaker, a small bowl of basil, and a stack of plates — Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Make It Your Own

Sauté pancetta or bacon with the tomatoes for a salty flavor boost.
Swap the red wine vinegar with white balsamic vinegar for a slightly sweeter flavor profile.
Use your favorite short pasta shapes, such as orecchiette or penne.

Cook the pasta:

Bring 4 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons of the salt to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Stir in the farfalle and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Cooked farfelle pasta in a bowl for 5-ingredient warm caprese pasta recipe — Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Cook the tomatoes:

While pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Add the tomatoes, pepper, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes begin to burst, about 3 minutes. Stir in the vinegar. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly and the tomatoes begin to break down, about 6 minutes.