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A serving of caprese salad in a bowl with a fork next to the rest of the salad in a serving bowl with a spoon.
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Caprese Pasta Salad

Sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and fresh basil mingle with pasta in a light balsamic and olive oil dressing. Make it ahead of time for a fuss-free potluck dish, or serve it fresh for a quick and colorful meal.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time27 minutes
Course: Dinner, Entree or Side Dish, Lunch
Cuisine: American/Mediterranean
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 6
Author: Mark Beahm

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound orecchiette pasta (8 ounces, 227g)
  • Sea salt
  • 1 1/2 pounds multicolored cherry or grape tomatoes (4 cups), halved
  • 1 cup mini fresh mozzarella balls, drained (8 ounces, 227g)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Black pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped or torn

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously salt the boiling water, then add the pasta and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain through a colander, but don’t rinse. Add the pasta to a large mixing bowl and set aside to cool briefly.
  • Toss the pasta salad. Once the pasta has cooled somewhat, add the tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, about 3/4 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss to coat and taste for seasoning.
  • Finish and serve. Either stir in the fresh basil and serve immediately, or reserve the basil and let the salad rest in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill and for the tomatoes to release some of their juices. Stir the basil in just before serving.

Notes

  • Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil used in this recipe.
  • Storage: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If making it ahead, reserve the basil and sprinkle over individual servings when ready to eat.

Nutrition

Calories: 296.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7.9g | Cholesterol: 14.7mg | Sodium: 125.1mg | Potassium: 342.9mg | Fiber: 2.4g | Sugar: 4.2g | Vitamin A: 1059.1IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 116.5mg | Iron: 1mg

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