Best Caprese Pasta Salad
Imagine a refreshing and flavorful pasta salad that captures the essence of Italy’s most iconic ingredients. Our Best Caprese Pasta Salad is a creative twist on the classic Caprese salad, featuring tender pasta, creamy mozzarella cheese, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all combined in a light and zesty dressing.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8-10 minutes (for the pasta)
Total time: 23-25 minutes
Ingredients:
Vinaigrette Dressing
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 clove minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Caprese Pasta Salad
½ pound dried pasta (farfalle or other small pasta is
recommended)
8 ounces mozzarella pearls, or cubed fresh mozzarella
2 cups grape tomatoes, sliced in half
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions :
In a small bowl or jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Set aside.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta firm.
In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and sliced basil. Drizzle with the prepared vinaigrette dressing and toss everything together.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Tips:
1. Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil are essential for the best flavor and texture.
2. Choose the right pasta: Bowtie or penne pasta works well for this salad, as it holds onto the dressing and ingredients nicely.
3. Don’t overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is best for this salad, as it will help the dressing cling to the pasta.
4. Let it sit: Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Customize to your taste: Add grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or other ingredients to make the salad your own.
6. Use a light hand with the dressing: You can always add more dressing, but it’s harder to remove excess dressing from the salad.
7. Make it ahead: This salad can be made up to a day in advance, making it perfect for potlucks or picnics.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 350
Fat: 20g
Saturated fat: 10g
Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 250mg
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 5g
Protein: 15g