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Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad

A delightful and colorful pasta salad that combines al dente pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, all drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 8 oz Penne or Fusilli pasta Can use any short pasta.
  • 1 pint Cherry tomatoes, halved Use ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor.
  • 8 oz Fresh mozzarella balls, halved Can quarter if large.
  • 1 cup Fresh basil leaves, torn Using fresh basil is key to the flavor.
Dressing
  • ¼ cup Olive oil Extra virgin olive oil preferred.
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar Adjust according to taste.
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta quickly.
Preparing the Ingredients
  1. While the pasta cools, chop your cherry tomatoes in half and tear the basil leaves.
  2. If the mozzarella balls are large, consider quartering them for better bite sizes.
Combining the Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves.
Dressing the Salad
  1. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  2. Toss gently to combine, ensuring that every piece of pasta is coated in the dressing.
Final Touches
  1. Taste your salad and adjust any seasonings with more salt or pepper, if desired.
Serving
  1. The Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad is now ready to enjoy! Serve as a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or pack it for a potluck.

Notes

For added crunch, feel free to swap in vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers. Make the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh. Avoid overcooking the pasta; it should have a slight bite for the best texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.