Basil & Mozzarella Caprese Pasta
A light and refreshing pasta salad with fresh mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a tangy balsamic glaze. Ideal for a warm summer evening.
- Prep: 15 min
- Cook: 15 min
- Total: 30 min
- Servings: 7
- Cuisine: Italian
- Difficulty: Easy
Dietary
- Soy-Free
- Nut-Free
- Egg-Free
- Vegetarian
- Pescatarian
- Low-Sodium
- Low-Sugar
Tags
- no-cook
- quick
- fresh
- healthy
- savory
- tangy
Ingredients
- 12 ounce penne pasta
- 2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 8 ounce fresh mozzarella pearls
- 0.5 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- 0.25 cup olive oil (extra virgin)
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool, then drain thoroughly again.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
For best flavor, let the pasta salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. This can be prepared a day in advance for meal prep; add a splash more olive oil or balsamic if needed before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 14.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.1 g
- Fat: 17.5 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Saturated Fat: 5.9 g
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg