Description
Mediterranean sunshine dances through this Caprese pasta salad, blending juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil with perfectly al dente pasta. Cool summer flavors invite warm memories of Italian coastal dining where fresh ingredients tell delicious stories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (bowtie, rotini, or penne work well)
- 1 pint (473 milliliters) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for a little tang)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Seasoning Ingredients:
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: extra balsamic glaze for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta in a pot of boiling water according to package instructions, ensuring it reaches an al dente consistency.
- Immediately transfer the cooked pasta to a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt the cooking process and cool down the noodles.
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by vigorously whisking together balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and gently combine the cooled pasta with ripe cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fragrant fresh basil leaves.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, carefully folding and tossing to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the tangy vinaigrette.
- Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes, enabling the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Before serving, enhance the dish with an elegant zigzag of balsamic glaze and scatter additional fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and aromatic finish.
Notes
- Swap traditional pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives for dietary needs and extra nutrition.
- Marinate mozzarella and tomatoes in dressing for 10 minutes before mixing to intensify flavor absorption.
- Prevent soggy salad by patting tomatoes dry and using fresh, firm mozzarella balls.
- Add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg