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a blue and white bowl filled with caprese pasta salad

CAPRESE PASTA SALAD


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Description

Transform a traditional Caprese Salad into one amazing dish, just by adding pasta and the most perfect basil pesto dressing. It’s super simple to prepare, and all of your guests will enjoy every single bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. shellbows (see substitutions in post)
  • kosher salt for pasta water
  • 3 diced roma tomatoes, or 3/4 C halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 lb. fresh mozzarella pearls, rinsed
  • 1 -2 TBLS olive oil 
  • 2 TBLS fresh chiffonades of basil, plus more for garnish

FOR THE DRESSING:

  • 3 TBLS olive oil
  • 2 TBLS basil pesto
  • 2 TBLS golden balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • juice of one lemon
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain. Do NOT rinse.
  2. Mix the pasta with a tablespoon, or two of olive oil as it is cooling.
  3. Combine all of the ingredients for the dressing. Taste. Season appropriately, if needed.
  4. Place the pasta in a large bowl.
  5. Mix the pasta with a few tablespoons of the dressing.
  6. Add in the tomatoes, mozzarella pearls and basil. 
  7. Toss with more dressing, a little bit at a time. Taste. 
  8. You may not use all of the dressing.
  9. Garnish with more fresh basil.
  10. Serve at room temperature. 
  11. ENJOY!

Notes

SEE POST!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2/3 Cup