Description
This Creamy Caprese Pasta Salad is a delightful twist on the classic Caprese salad, featuring tender pasta tossed with mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil in a tangy dressing. It’s a perfect dish for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 pound small pasta (e.g., fusilli, orecchiette, or penne)
- 16 ounces mozzarella balls (such as ciliegine or pearls), halved
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil water, add pasta, cook until al dente, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- Prepare Salad: Cut mozzarella and tomatoes, add to a bowl with cooled pasta. Add basil.
- Make Dressing: Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Toss Salad: Drizzle dressing over the salad, toss gently to coat.
- Chill: Let the salad sit for 30 minutes before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad, Pasta, Side Dish
- Method: Mixing, Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 525 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
