I find that people have strong opinions on tomatoes. Either you’re ordering them on all your salads and sandwiches, or you absolutely hate them.
I used to be a total hater. I always loved salsa, and I liked tomato sauce as long as it wasn’t chunky, and I liked ketchup, although I’ve never been one of those people who goes crazy over ketchup. There are so many awesome condiments out there with so much more flavor! I’ve never understood the people that put ketchup on everything.
Like my husband. He puts ketchup on macaroni and cheese. WHAT IS THAT??? I will season the crap out of some meat, and we will sit down to dinner, and he grabs the ketchup bottle. What a jerk.
Anyway, I never used to be a tomato fan. My dad would order a caprese salad, and I would just eat the cheese. Not that this was abnormal behavior for me with any dish. All my friends still make fun of me about the way I used to eat. I would order food, eat until I started to get full, then proceed to pick all the cheese out. What can I say? I’ve always loved my cheese. 
Somewhere along my healthy living journey, I turned the page on tomatoes. Now, I eat the whole caprese salad (or pasta), but the best part is still the mozzarella cheese.
In this pasta, the cheese gets just warm enough to get a little soft, melty, and gooey. I could have picked it out all night long, and lived on the cheese alone, but it was even better paired with the fresh basil, and juicy tomatoes.
This pasta takes everything I love about a caprese salad, and translates it to a full, protein packed, delicious dinner. It was so easy–ready in about 20 minutes, and my whole family loved it!
Caprese Pasta
yield 8 servings
- 13 oz box whole grain penne (brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, whatever you like)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 5 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- salt and pepper
- 3 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- 8 oz part skim mozzarella, cubes
- 2 big handfuls baby spinach, stems removed
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
Directions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil until fragrant. Add cooked and drained pasta, and toss with remaining oil, vinegar and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken, cheese and spinach, and gently toss until spinach slightly wilts, and cheese softens. Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes. Serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Pinning this recipe. It looks so yummy!
YAY!! Thanks Andrea
I love caprese salad but would never think of combing it with a pasta! Looks delicious
Thanks Danielle! I saw something similar at Whole Foods, and it sounded so amazing that within days this one happened.
I love tomatoes and eat one a day the way many people like to have an apple a day! I love the looks of this one!
Really??? That’s how my brother is. I WISH I loved them that much–what a perfect, healthy snack!
I’m like you and will pick out the cheese – but I love the addition of the spinach to this recipe!
Thanks Amanda! I love spinach, and I feel like most recipes can always use extra veggies!
that gooey cheeeeeeeeeese. omg ari. i need this for dinner tonight. can I cancel our plans for thai food and make this instead?! Kevin won’t mind. I love caprese anything! PS: these photos are drop dead gorgeous. You are so good with your camera and lighting!
Ummm, you just made my day! Photography (especially lighting) is so tricky, and I still get nervous about the quality, so thank you so so much Sally!!
When I used to eat spaghetti, I would LOVEEE to have huge semi-melted globs of delicious cheese in it! YUM! This spaghetti brings back memories – oh wait, it’s pasta! WHOOPS!
I totally would have quadrupled the cheese if I had it my way–hah! Cheese makes everything better
Oh man, this needs to go on our menu. Soon!
Thanks Aimee! It is definitely something I will make again and again–so simple and quick!
Need! In my belly now!
Hehe, thanks Jamie!
Oh my goodness. I’m going to Chicago this weekend and having another Pinterest party, so I’m definitely suggesting this be on the menu. Holy moly it looks delicious!
YAY!! Thanks so much Jenn!
I must have that awesome pasta and melty cheese!!! YUM!!!
Cheese just makes everything better, right?
Mmm..I love anything caprese! This looks amazing, I’ll have to make it for sure. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Jen–if you do, let me know what you think!
This looks like exactly what I want to eat for dinner! Delish.
I loved getting to eat the left overs again and again! Thanks Jessica!