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Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad: Your Summer Flavor Burst!

Enjoy a Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad bursting with summer flavors, combining tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Base
  • 8 ounces short pasta fusilli or penne recommended
For the Flavor
  • 1 cup basil pesto store-bought or homemade
For Freshness
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes if unavailable
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella bocconcini or burrata for variation
For Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • colander
  • Cutting board
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula
  • Serving Spoon

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Slice cherry tomatoes in half and cut fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella pieces. Gently fold together with a spatula.
  4. Drizzle basil pesto and olive oil over the pasta mixture, then toss everything together until well-coated.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit for about 10 minutes or chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingsCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 10gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best results, use high-quality ingredients and avoid overcooking the pasta. Customize with additional ingredients as desired.

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