Description
A vibrant and delicious Caprese Pasta Salad full of fresh flavors, perfect for summer picnics or easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Toss in 8 oz of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, start slicing your cherry tomatoes in half. Chop up fresh basil leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Add a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper.
- Once pasta has cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Let it cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss cooled pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Drizzle in dressing and stir gently.
- Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed.
- If time allows, let the pasta salad sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, consider using flavored olive oil or add grilled chicken/shrimp for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Caprese Salad, Pasta Salad, Italian Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegetarian