Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe: A Burst of Summer Flavors
This vibrant Caprese Pasta Salad is the perfect summer dish! It's easy to make, delicious, and perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light weeknight meal. The combination of fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and zesty lemon dressing is simply irresistible. This recipe is also highly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe makes enough for 4-6 servings. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
- Pasta: 1 pound pasta (rotini, farfalle, or penne work well)
- Tomatoes: 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- Mozzarella: 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, halved or quartered (depending on size)
- Basil: 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Lemon: 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- Olive Oil: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic Glaze: 2 tablespoons (optional, but adds a nice touch!)
- Salt: To taste
- Black Pepper: To taste
- Garlic: 1 clove, minced (optional)
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide
Get started:
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You can add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity if you prefer a sweeter dressing.
Assemble the salad:
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In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chopped basil.
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Pour the lemon dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
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If using, drizzle balsamic glaze over the top.
Serve and Enjoy!
- Serve immediately or chill for later. The flavors will meld beautifully if you let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Tips and Variations for your Caprese Pasta Salad:
- Add protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas make great additions for a heartier salad.
- Add vegetables: Consider adding other vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, or red onion for extra flavor and texture.
- Different cheeses: Fresh burrata or bocconcini can be substituted for mozzarella.
- Herbs: Experiment with other herbs like oregano or parsley alongside the basil.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
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