Description
Summer’s zesty Caprese Pasta Salad brings Mediterranean charm to your table, blending fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil with perfectly al dente pasta. Refreshing and light, this Italian-inspired dish promises a delightful culinary escape you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (fusilli, bowtie, or penne)
- 1 cup (150 grams) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 2 cups (300 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup (20 grams) fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) balsamic glaze
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Cook pasta for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Immediately drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process and cool down quickly. Spread pasta on a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- Create the dressing by vigorously whisking olive oil, balsamic glaze, finely minced garlic, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a small mixing bowl until well combined and emulsified.
- Transfer cooled pasta to a spacious mixing bowl. Add halved cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and freshly chopped basil leaves.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the ingredients, using gentle folding motions to coat everything evenly without breaking the delicate components.
- Refrigerate the salad for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify. This resting period helps develop a more robust taste profile.
- Before serving, give the salad a final light toss. For an elegant touch, garnish with an additional drizzle of balsamic glaze and a few extra basil leaves. Enjoy at a cool room temperature or straight from the refrigerator.
Notes
- Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or penne for better dressing absorption and easier eating.
- Chill ingredients beforehand to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting of fresh herbs.
- Use fresh mozzarella balls for authentic creamy texture and authentic Italian flavor profile.
- Customize the salad by adding grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein and making it a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 295 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg