Description
This Caprese Pasta Salad combines fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil, tossed in a zesty dressing. A simple, delightful dish, perfect for quick dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- 16 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 2 pints grape tomatoes
- ½ cups fresh basil
- 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
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add one tablespoon of salt.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al-dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, halve the tomatoes and add them in.
- Add the mozzarella pearls and julienned basil to the tomatoes.
- In a small mason jar or measuring cup, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Once the pasta is cool, transfer it to the large bowl with the tomato and mozzarella mixture.
- Pour half of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly, adding more dressing as needed.
- Reserve the remaining dressing for later use, as the pasta will absorb the dressing during storage.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
For added flavor, let the salad sit for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to meld.
Feel free to customize with ingredients like arugula or olives for an extra burst of flavor.
This salad can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days; just add more dressing before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg