Description
Cool summer days call for Caprese Pasta Salad, a delightful Italian-inspired dish blending ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. Creamy, tangy, and refreshingly light, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this classic Mediterranean-style pasta that sings with garden-fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (fusilli, bowtie, or penne)
- 2 cups (300 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (150 grams) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup (20 grams) fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) balsamic glaze
Seasoning:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking, then spread on a flat surface to cool completely.
- Create a vibrant dressing by whisking together fragrant olive oil, rich balsamic glaze, freshly minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smoothly integrated.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and gently combine the cooled pasta with juicy halved cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and delicately torn fresh basil leaves.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, using soft folding motions to ensure each ingredient is delicately coated without breaking the delicate components.
- Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify. This chilling period helps the ingredients absorb the dressing’s nuanced taste profile.
- Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss. For an elegant finishing touch, drizzle additional balsamic glaze across the top, creating a beautiful presentation that can be enjoyed chilled or at ambient temperature.
Notes
- Select short pasta shapes like rotini or penne to help dressing cling better and create more texture in each bite.
- Use fresh mozzarella pearls or cherry-sized balls for the most authentic and creamy Italian flavor profile.
- Tear fresh basil leaves instead of chopping to prevent bruising and maintain vibrant green color and delicate herb essence.
- Prep ingredients ahead and refrigerate separately to keep salad components crisp and prevent soggy texture before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg