Creamy Brie Caprese Pasta in 20 Minutes
A sneak peak recipe from my upcoming cookbook!!
Hi, I’m Jazz, and I’m finally doing something I’ve dreamed of for nearly a decade… publishing my first cookbook. It’s called Easy Does It and it’s packed with over 100 recipes that are made in under 30 minutes with 10 ingredients or less (not counting salt and pepper, of course). It's food that feels comforting and nourishing. Simple enough for beginner cooks, exciting enough for seasoned food lovers, and quick enough for real life with a family.
This is the cover!! Ahhh, I am obsessed 🥹
Every week for the next 3 weeks, I’m sharing a sneak peek at a recipe straight from the cookbook. Think of it as a little love note to my community. You’ve been here through the growth, the experiments, the mom life, the product swaps, and now you get to be here as I share a major first. If it wasn’t for YOU, I would never have the platform to share my recipes. So thank YOU.
✨ A Little Bit About Me
I started my career in tech back in 2013, and while the work was stable and the pay was good, I’d go to bed feeling like something was missing. I started studying to become a nutritional therapist during the evenings (just me, a laptop, and a whole lot of ambition). Not long after I got certified, a wild opportunity came my way: my brother-in-law got drafted to the NBA and asked me to be his private chef.
Was I ready? Absolutely not. Did I say yes? Of course.
For the next three years, I cooked daily meals for not just him, but several players on the Indiana Pacers. It was grueling… shopping, prepping, cooking, cleaning, doing it all over again, but it taught me how to make real food, fast. I leaned hard into simple meals with whole ingredients that nourished from the inside out. And those are the recipes you’ll find in my cookbook.
This moment feels surreal. Now, eight years later, I’m finally putting all of that into one place—Easy Does It, my first ever cookbook.
🍝 Why This Recipe?
This Brie Caprese Pasta was created on a summer night when I had leftover brie from a charcuterie board, basil from my garden, and a need for something easy and comforting. I love that it comes together in 20 minutes, feeds the whole family, and is endlessly flexible.
And real life moment? I actually made it again this week with a few swaps based on what I had:
Red onion instead of white
Campari tomatoes instead of grape
Frozen garlic cubes instead of fresh
Thats what this cookbook is about. It’s a no-judgement zone. Use what you have, modify the recipe based on taste preference, and do your best. That’s it. ✨
🧀 Brie Caprese Pasta
Serves: 4
Total Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
10 oz spaghetti
1 tsp salt (for pasta water)
2 tbsp butter
1 white onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
½ tsp salt
½ tsp oregano
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 cup brie cheese, cubed
1 cup fresh basil
1 tsp balsamic glaze
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add tomatoes, salt, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 4 minutes, until tomatoes soften.
Stir in the brie and pasta water. Gently mix until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
Finish with balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Add a pinch more salt if needed.
What I used.
Large non-toxic ceramic stockpot (for pastas and soups)
💬 Quick Q&A
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes! Penne, fusilli, or gluten-free pasta work great. Just keep it around 10 oz. I am gluten free right now, so every spaghetti I use is always gluten free. Here’s the brand I am loving!
Don’t have brie?
Try mozzarella or even a touch of cream cheese. The brie gives it that velvety texture, but other cheeses can still get you close! Again, the goal is to use what you have. Don’t go to the grocery store! Make it work with what’s in your kitchen.
Want to add protein?
Grilled chicken, salmon, or sautéed shrimp are perfect. You could also keep it vegetarian with crispy chickpeas or white beans. I love this air fryer chicken cutlet recipe from my blog. It pairs really well.
Is this good for leftovers?
Totally. It reheats beautifully. I actually prefer it the next day! It’s actually what we are having again tonight (I just add some fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic to serve fresh).
💛 Let’s Stay Connected
If you loved this recipe, there’s so much more where that came from. This is just one of over 100 recipes in my upcoming cookbook Easy Does It, launching soon on Amazon. If you're not subscribed yet, hit that button below so you don’t miss the next free recipe (and get first dibs when the book goes live!).
Thanks for being here,
Jazz
That is so exciting!
Exciting! When is the cookbook coming out?