Caprese Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that brings together the bright flavors of Italy in a simple and accessible way. This salad is inspired by the classic Caprese salad, featuring fresh mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all tossed with al dente pasta.
Ingredients
Scale:
8 ounces of fusilli or penne pasta
8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup of fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup of basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze for drizzling
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Instructions
Begin by cooking the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, fresh mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped basil. Toss gently to mix the ingredients without breaking the mozzarella.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the basil pesto, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Pour the pesto dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Transfer the Caprese Pasta Salad to a serving dish and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
