Caprese Pasta
Estimated $6.69 recipe · $3.35 per serving (US / USD)
Five-ingredient pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
The recipe
Caprese Pasta
Five-ingredient pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil.
Ingredients
- 180g pasta
- 300g cherry tomatoes
- 125g fresh mozzarella
- Large handful fresh basil
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper
- Balsamic glaze
Estimated recipe cost
$6.69 for 2 servings · $3.35 per serving
US grocery planning estimate in USD. Includes the amounts used from the listed ingredients, including pantry items. Prices and portion weights vary.
Ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown
| Ingredient & price basis | Cost used |
|---|---|
| 180g pastaPlanning assumption · $1.00 / 454 g · Uses 180g | $0.40 |
| 300g cherry tomatoesPlanning assumption · $2.97 / 255 g · Uses 300g | $3.49 |
| 125g fresh mozzarellaPlanning assumption · $3.00 / 227 g · Uses 125g | $1.65 |
| Large handful fresh basilPlanning assumption · $1.00 / 28 g · Assumes 5 g per item/portion | $0.18 |
| 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oilRetail benchmark · $6.12 / 503 ml · Retail reference · 1 tbsp ≈ 15ml | $0.55 |
| 2 garlic clovesRetail benchmark · $0.72 / 30 g · Retail reference · Assumes 3 g per item/portion | $0.14 |
| Salt and pepperPlanning assumption · $0.08 / 1 portion · Unspecified amount: assumes 1 portion | $0.08 |
| Balsamic glazePlanning assumption · $3.00 / 300 g · Unspecified amount: assumes 20 g | $0.20 |
| Estimated total | $6.69 |
Retail references are representative products, not quotes for every variety. Other prices are editorial planning assumptions. Checked 9 October 2026; these are not live prices.
Price bases and quantity assumptions refer to the original recipe. Unspecified quantities use the assumptions shown above. Listed optional ingredients are included. Unlisted sides, extra seasoning, tax, energy and delivery are excluded. Buying full packages will cost more.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes. Mince the garlic. Tear the mozzarella into pieces. Roughly tear the basil leaves.
- Heat the olive oil in the pasta pot over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently 1–2 min — don't let it brown.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and toss. Cook 3–4 min until the tomatoes are beginning to soften and burst, releasing their juice.
- Add the drained pasta and a splash of pasta water. Toss well over medium heat for 1 min.
- Remove from heat. Add the mozzarella and most of the basil. Toss quickly — the mozzarella should melt slightly but stay in pools. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately with the remaining basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Recipe notes
The key is adding the mozzarella off the heat so it melts slightly but stays creamy rather than fully melting.
Estimated nutrition per serving
590 kcal · 22g protein. Values are estimates and vary with brands, substitutions and portions.
Recipe images may be AI-generated illustrations. Nutrition figures are estimates.