Description
Creamy Caprese Pasta Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that combines the classic Caprese flavors with pasta, making it perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a light dinner. With juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil tossed in a zesty dressing, this salad not only looks beautiful but also bursts with flavor in every bite. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s an ideal choice for meal prep or entertaining guests. Enjoy it as a standalone main course or pair it with grilled chicken for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound small pasta (e.g., fusilli, orecchiette, penne)
- 16 ounces mozzarella balls (e.g., ciliegine)
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the basil into thin strips.
- In a mixing bowl, combine mozzarella balls and halved tomatoes.
- Whisk together olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with the tomato-basil-mozzarella mixture. Pour the dressing over and toss gently.
- Serve immediately or chill for about an hour before serving to enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg