Description

This Caprese Pasta Salad is a burst of flavors, featuring fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic basil. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for quick meals or gatherings, making it a must-have for any home chef looking for something delicious!

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound cavatappi pasta
16 ounces mozzarella pearls or ciliegine
2 pints grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
½ cups fresh basil julienned
2/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

Boil a large pot of water, adding 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook the pasta until al-dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
While the pasta cooks, halve the tomatoes and place them in a large bowl.
Add mozzarella pearls and julienned basil to the bowl with tomatoes.
In a small jar or measuring cup, combine olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Once cooled, add the pasta to the bowl with tomatoes and mozzarella.
Drizzle half of the dressing over the pasta, then toss to coat evenly. Adjust the amount of dressing to taste.
Reserve the remaining dressing for later use, as the pasta absorbs it over time.
Serve the salad fresh!

Notes

For a more intense flavor, let the salad sit for 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to meld.
You can substitute the cavatappi pasta with any pasta shape you prefer, such as fusilli or rotini.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator and refresh with extra dressing before serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 300
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 15mg