Description
A refreshing and vibrant Caprese Pasta Salad featuring cavatappi pasta, fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all drizzled with a zesty dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Cavatappi pasta
- 16 ounces Mozzarella pearls or Ciliegine
- 2 pints grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- ½ cups fresh basil, julienned
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and add one Tablespoon of salt. Prepare the pasta according to the package, cooking it to al-dente. Drain, rinse with cold water and allow it to cool.
- While the pasta is cooking, halve the tomatoes and add them to a large bowl.
- Add the Mozzarella pearls and basil.
- To a small mason jar, or a measuring cup, add the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir or shake until combined.
- Once the pasta has been drained and cooled, add it to the large bowl with tomatoes and Mozzarella.
- Add half of the dressing and toss to evenly coat and combine. Taste and add additional dressing as needed.
- Store the remaining dressing to add to the pasta after it’s been stored, as the pasta will absorb the dressing and it will need to be revived with additional dressing.
- Serve!
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead of time, just add dressing just before serving.
- For a lower fat version, you can use reduced-fat mozzarella.
- Feel free to customize with other vegetables like bell peppers or olives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg