Description
Summer sunshine meets Italian elegance in this classic Caprese pasta salad that dances with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil. Cool pasta mingles with zesty ingredients, promising a refreshing Mediterranean escape for keen palates seeking bright, simple flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 g) pasta (bowtie, rotini, or penne)
- 8 ounces (226 g) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved
- 1 pint (473 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (120 ml) fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard (optional, for a little tang)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions, then immediately rinse under cold water to halt cooking and cool down completely.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a compact container until emulsified and smooth.
- Salad Assembly: Combine cooled pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, cubed fresh mozzarella, and torn basil leaves in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Flavor Infusion: Drizzle prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, gently tossing to coat every ingredient thoroughly and allow seasoning to penetrate.
- Chilling and Finishing: Refrigerate the salad for 15-30 minutes to enhance flavor integration, then present by adding a delicate balsamic glaze drizzle and extra fresh basil leaves as a vibrant garnish.
Notes
- Choose short pasta like rotini or penne to help dressing cling better and create perfect bite-sized mix.
- Allow salad to rest in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let ingredients marinate and develop deeper taste profile.
- Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella for creamy texture and rich flavor; buffalo mozzarella works best for authentic Italian taste.
- Tear basil leaves just before serving to prevent bruising and maintain vibrant green color and intense aromatic qualities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg