Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad is a light and easy and refreshing Italian pasta dish made with fresh spring/summer ingredients like basil and cherry tomatoes.  This cold pasta salad is perfect as a side dish or on it's own when you want something light for dinner or lunch on any hot summer day.

The basic wallop of flavour comes from the vinaigrette which consists of balsamic vinegar, minced   garlic, olive oil and some basic seasoning. I prefer using mini mozzarella balls because of  ease of use, meaning no use of knife or chopping board and hence no cleaning afterwards. Feel free to use any type of mozzarella cheese available to you.

The mozzarella not only adds complexity but also balances out the flavour of balsamic vinegar and tomatoes.  I have used halved cherry tomatoes for this Caprese Pasta Salad recipe but you can use any type of fresh salad tomatoes. Also make sure to use freshly cracked black pepper for seasoning. Pre ground pepper is less peppery because of the loss of volatile compounds. So use freshly ground black pepper whenever possible.

Check out 5 A Day Veggie Pasta and Pasta Primavera for more healthy meal ideas.

 Follow the step by step recipe for Caprese Pasata Salad and do let me know what you think about it.

Ingredients	Quantity
pasta con	500g
cherry tomatoes	250g
mozzarella balls	250g
balsamic vinegar	1/4 cup
extra virgin olive oil	4 tbsp
freshly ground black pepper	to taste
salt	to taste
freshly chopped basil leaves	1/2 cup
minced garlic	1-2 cloves

Method:

Prepare the dressing by mixing the balsamic vinegar with extra virgin olive oil and minced garlic.  Add salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk with the help of a fork and set side.

Boil the conchiglie pasta (al dente) according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and set aside.

Add the cherry tomatoes cut in halves to the boiled and drained conchiglie pasta.

Add the mozzarella balls and chopped basil leaves. Once again I forgot to photograph the mozzarella balls and the chopped basil leaves. Another episodes of brain freeze *sigh*

Pour over the balsamic vinegar dressing and mix with the help of a salad spoon or fork. Here I have made it with spiral whole wheat pasta. So basically you can try any pasta you prefer.  Serve as a salad, side dish or a light and refreshing meal.

Buon Appetito!

Recipe For Caprese Pasta Salad:

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Caprese Pasta Salad

by Shazia Ijaz September-8-2016

Caprese Pasta Salad is a light and easy and refreshing Italian pasta dish made with fresh summer ingredients like basil and cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients

• 500g conchiglie pasta
• 250g cherry tomatoes
• 250g mozzarella balls
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• to taste freshly ground black pepper
• to taste salt
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil leaves
• 1-2 cloves minced garlic

Instructions

Boil the conchiglie pasta (al dente) according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and set aside. Add the cherry tomatoes cut in halves.Add the mozzarella balls and chopped basil leaves.Pour over the dressing and mix with the help of a salad spoon or fork.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 12 mins Total time: 17 mins Yield: 6-8