Less to clean and more to love. Bursting with classic Italian flavors, One Pot Healthy Caprese Pasta is the recipe your family won’t stop asking for, and you won’t mind making. Melty mozzarella, luscious tomatoes, refreshing balsamic, and fresh fragrant basil are the stars of this simple one pot pasta dish. Break out your dutch oven–you’re just a few steps away from the easiest dinner yet!
What you will need to make this recipe
Here is the ingredient list for this recipe; keep in mind, this is all made in one pot! It couldn’t be simpler to throw together. You can use whole wheat pasta, or make any other substitutions you wish.
- Dry spaghetti
- Mozzarella pearls
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Reduced-sodium chicken broth
- Basil
- fresh preferred
- Olive oil
- Shallots (2-3)
- Minced garlic
- Roma tomatoes
- These tomatoes are best for sauces and cooked dishes like this one because they produce less water and have fewer seeds than a traditional tomato.
How to make One Pot Healthy Caprese Pasta
This is one of my easiest one pot dishes yet! If you’ve never made a one pot pasta dish before–don’t be nervous. Most of the skepticism with one pot dishes comes from those concerned about a mushy, poorly cooked meal. I promise you this method is foolproof and delicious! You will be impressed.
Start out by chopping your shallots and tomatoes. We will be moving fast, and you won’t want to have to stop to do chopping along the way. While you chop, preheat your large pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add one tablespoon of olive oil. Add your 2-3 chopped shallots, allowing them to settle into the olive oil and sauté until tender. Being careful not to burn your garlic, add four cloves of minced garlic to the olive oil and shallots. Cook for about one minute.
Taking your chopped tomatoes, add them all into the pot (there should be about 2 lbs or 6 cups).
Next, add one cup of broth and three cups of water. By doing this, we are making sure the dish isn’t too high in sodium. Once you do that, add in two tablespoons of balsamic.
When you have all of those ingredients in your pot, add in the dry pasta. Stir to submerge the pasta–covering it in the liquid. You will now bring to a boil. Once you have done that, cover and reduce to medium. Cook the dish for about 15 minutes longer (or until the pasta is tender).
Once the pasta is cooked, stir in your basil, followed by the mozzarella cheese. Finish by adding the remaining tablespoon of olive oil for an extra burst of flavor.
Try one of my other one pot pasta dishes!
Once you go one pot…you never go back! A one pot pasta dish is one of those recipes that makes me never want to make traditional pasta again.
One pot meals don’t have to stop at pasta dishes. Explore my “One Pot Recipes” on my page–or try one of these!
One Pot Healthy Caprese Pasta
Equipment
- dutch oven or large pot
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil , divided
- 2-3 shallots
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs roma tomatoes, chopped; equivalent to 6 cups
- 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- 1 pound spaghetti, one box; I used Barilla
- 1 tsp kosher salt, or more to taste
- 1/2 cup basil, fresh
- 4 oz mini mozzarella balls
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Place a large pot or Dutch Oven on the stove over medium high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Chop the shallots and tomatoes. Add shallots to the pot, leaving the tomatoes to the side for later.
- Cook the shallots until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes.
- Mince the garlic and add it to the pot. Toss to combine with the shallots. Cook for 1 minute or until just fragrant.
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot.
- Add 1 cup of chicken broth and 3 cups of water. Follow by adding 2 tbsp of balsamic.
- Break the spaghetti in half and add it to the pot, making sure it is submerged in the liquid. Add the salt.
- Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium.
- Simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in the basil and cheese. Finish with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil.
- Taste for seasoning, add more salt as needed.
- Note: there will be extra liquid left in the pot. This is normal. The pasta will continue to absorb the liquid, especially if you are serving later on.
Notes
- 8 WW points
Nutrition
Wondering if you serve this hot or cold?
This recipe is fabulous and easy! The simple ingredients pack flavor and make a refreshing summer dish. I added some hot pepper flakes to give a little kick. Highly recommend!
My family really enjoyed it! I used gluten free pasta and it turned out beautifully.
Winner,winner, one pot dinner! This was delicious and easy. I can’t wait to make it with homegrown tomatoes! The balsamic really adds a nice flavor. Thank you!
Very easy to make and tasted great!
So easy to make and makes for a perfect light and delicious summer meal!
Really enjoyed this one. Easy weeknight dinner. I didn’t realize most of my shallots had gone bad so I made it with just one. Wish I had more. The vinegar gave a great hint of flavor, but next time I will add more. Husband and I both added a balsamic drizzle to ours to get a little more. If that is making you hesitant to try this know it’s not an overwhelming flavor. I will definitely make again.
So much flavor! Delicious!!
Just made this tonight for the first time. It was delicious! Will definitely make again. Thank you for this recipe!
This was quick, easy, and quite delicious. I diced up the mozzarella to spread it even further throughout the dish. My hubby added pepper flakes, but I don’t think it was needed. I will definitely make this again.
I never leave reviews but this was SO GOOD that it really deserves one. The ingredients are so simple, so I was initially worried that it would be bland but it has so much flavor!! And is so easy to make 🙂 Thanks Steph
This recipe was quick and easy and delicious. Everyone in my house loved it. It’s especially good with home grown tomatoes. Highly recommend.
So delicious and so easy! I love pasta but hate all the dishes it creates. That’s not a problem with this recipe! One pot and you’re done! The balsamic adds such a great taste! Will definitely be making this again and again!