Name: Capellini Pomodoro Recipe (Olive Garden Copycat)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 28 oz tomatoes; 14 oz cherry tomatoes; 14 oz angel hair pasta; 5 cloves garlic; 3 oz carrots; 3 oz parmesan cheese; 2 oz basil leaves; ⅓ cup virgin olive oil; salt and ground black pepper; ¼ tsp basil; 1½ tsp parmesan cheese

Photos of Capellini Pomodoro Recipe (Olive Garden Copycat)

Many were surprised when Olive Garden pulled out their capellini pomodoro from their menu. Who wouldn’t be? It was one of their freshest pasta dishes and saying everyone loved it is an understatement. Now, just because it’s off the Olive Garden menu, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it at home. How? We have here a delicious capellini al pomodoro recipe that will blow your socks off! The result of this recipe is amazingly similar to that of the Olive Garden. It’s incredibly easy to make! Just follow this guide and be on your way to some slurping goodness!

What is Capellini Pomodoro?

Pomodoro is the Italian word for “tomato”. So basically, pasta pomodoro is pasta with tomato sauce. In this recipe, we used capellini pasta. It looks like a much more thinner and delicate spaghetti, almost like angel hair pasta. As it is very thin, we should be careful not to overcook capellini because it has the tendency to fall apart if it gets too mushy.

Capellini pomodoro is made with very simple ingredients like fresh basil, the use of the freshest tomatoes, and some aromatics, it’s perfectly easy to give the sauce natural juiciness and an authentic Italian taste. You can never get anything fresher than a plate of capellini pomodoro.

Tips on Making Olive Garden’s Capellini Pomodoro

Olive Garden pulled out this delicious tomato and basil pasta years ago. But you no longer have to pine after it, as you can make your very own homemade version with this easy recipe. Here’s how you can make it like you once ordered it:

Use plum tomatoes as they bring about a more concentrated tangy flavor. You can also use canned diced tomatoes, but make sure to use the best quality or brand out there.
Peel and remove the seeds of your tomatoes before you use them as an ingredient for our Pomodoro. It will give the pasta softer and juicier tomato bites and its flavor will spread out quickly this way.
Use fresh basil if you can. Basil has a minty, subtle, peppery flavor, which makes it perfect for pasta dishes such as pasta pomodoro. If you’re growing your own basil in your backyard, this is the perfect time to pick up some!
Do not salt your pasta if you’re after the all-out Olive Garden taste. But if you want a full-bodied flavor for your capellini Pomodoro, sprinkle your pasta water away!
Save some of that pasta water. Adding half a cup of it won’t only add flavor to your sauce, but it will also help the pasta and sauce stick together.

With our easy recipe, having a fancy pasta dinner a la Olive Garden would be easy-peasy! The finished pasta would taste more delightful when paired with antipasto salad or grilled vegetables. Craving for more pasta? You can also check out the different types of pasta and their best pairing sauce!

How To Make Capellini Pomodoro (Olive Garden Copycat)

This savory capellini pomodoro is full of rich and popping tomato bites. Add notes of fresh and peppery basil and the creaminess of Parmesan cheese for a delectable Olive Garden-inspired meal!

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 45 mins

Total: 50 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

28 oz tomatoes, diced or crushed
14 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
14 oz angel hair pasta, cooked and cooled
5 cloves garlic, minced and bruised lightly
3 oz carrots, medium dice
3 oz parmesan cheese, grated or powdered, divided
2 oz basil leaves, with the stems, fresh, and washed
⅓ cup virgin olive oil
salt and ground black pepper, to taste

To Serve:

¼ tsp basil, per serving
1½ tsp parmesan cheese

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat then add garlic and carrots. Saute until just starting to caramelize, roughly 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the canned tomatoes and basil leaves and stems.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue simmering for roughly 30 minutes, stirring constantly, until it has reduced by half and thickened.
Towards the last 10 minutes of simmering, add the cherry tomatoes and stir to combine.
Once the sauce has thickened, strain the garlic and basil then discard.
Add the pasta and half of the parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Adjust accordingly.
Serve at once. Garnish with basil leaves and the remaining parmesan. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

When making the tomato mixture, stir constantly, but do not try to press your spoon against the tomato. The diced tomatoes should retain their shape for the best pomodoro sauce!

Nutrition

Sugar: 9g
:
Calcium: 277mg
Calories: 547kcal
Carbohydrates: 72g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Fat: 21g
Fiber: 6g
Iron: 3mg
Monounsaturated Fat: 12g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
Potassium: 842mg
Protein: 19g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Sodium: 312mg
Vitamin A: 5286IU
Vitamin C: 44mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

If you enjoyed this Capellini Pomodoro recipe, be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the Recipe Sharing forum!

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Commonly Asked Questions

Is capellini the same as angel hair?

Capellini means “thin hairs” in Italian. Capellini and angel hair pasta are very similar. They are both thin and delicate. But angel hair pasta is actually slightly thinner than capellini.

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

If you don’t have any capellini or even angel hair pasta lying around, fret not! You can certainly try this recipe with other kinds of pasta like spaghetti or even fettuccine.

Conclusion

This capellini pomodoro recipe is the remedy for your blues about the iconic but discontinued Olive Garden meal. Make it feel like you’re ordering takeout again by recreating it in the comfort of your home.