Caprese Pasta Marinara

We love this easy Caprese Pasta Marinara! It is so simple but packed with flavor. Marinated tomatoes are the highlight of this one, with fresh homemade marinara, a generous slice of fresh mozzarella, and don’t skip the fresh basil! Pile this on top of a twirl of spaghetti, linguine, or bucatini.

Caprese Pasta Marinara Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple way to dress up homemade marinara sauce, we’ve got just the thing! Bring in the flavor of a classic Caprese, but make it into a meal! Add a sauteed chicken breast for a little additional protein, but that’s totally optional. This dish is perfect as a vegetarian meal too.

You’ll most often see caprese as a salad, or in pasta form it is very commonly served cold as a pasta salad.

Not this time! We wanted to make a meal of it!

Caprese Pasta Marinara Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Check out this list to see what you’ll need to pick up!

Marinara Ingredients

If you have a favorite jarred marinara, feel free to sub that in here. This version is homemade, and you can see the recipe for it below, or fully detailed in our homemade marinara recipe post.

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Dry red wine
• San Marzano tomatoes
• Italian crushed tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Parmesiano Reggiano

Caprese Pasta Ingredients

• Fresh mozzarella slices
• Olive Oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper
• Fresh basil leaves
• Fresh ripe tomato
• Pasta

How to make Caprese Pasta Marinara

Making this is so easy! Here’s the overview so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Step 1 – Make (or heat) your marinara

Either mix it up and get it simmering or open up the jar and get it simmering. You do you!

Step 2 – Marinate the tomatoes

Slice your tomatoes into 1/4″ thick slices. Place them in a shallow bowl and drizzle with olive oil, red wine vinegar, sprinkle with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let them marinate while the rest of the meal cooks.

Step 3 – Prepare pasta

Put a big pot of water on the stove over high heat and bring it to a boil. Don’t skimp on the salt, either! Give it a taste once you think you have enough. It should taste as salty as seawater. Boil the pasta until it is cooked al dente, drain and toss with olive oil and give it a sprinkle of salt (the flakey kind, if you’ve got it.)

Step 4 – Assemble & eat

Slice your fresh mozzarella and set it aside. Place a generous twist of hot cooked pasta on the plate, immediately topped by a scoop of bubbling marinara. Next goes the cheese, tomato, and basil leaf. The hot pasta and sauce will heat the cheese a bit, though if you want to give it a full melt a minute under the broiler (minus the basil leaf) would be your best friend.

• 

What else can you serve with Caprese Pasta Marinara?

This pasta is perfect for a light lunch, but if you want to really do it up for dinner I’ve got so many suggestions for you! Most of these are from our sister site, OrWhateverYouDo.com.

• Garlic Bread Sticks
• Homemade Caesar Salad
• Greek Salad
• Rum Punch

Pin for later