Description
π Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Quick Recipe offers a vibrant and refreshing dish that comes together in minutes, perfect for busy days or gatherings.
πΏ This salad combines the freshness of tomatoes and basil with creamy mozzarella and a flavorful pesto dressing for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
– 3 cups dry orecchiette pasta (or other small pasta like farfalle, rigatoni, penne, elbows, ziti, or rotini)
– 1/3 cup pesto (plus more to taste)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (plus more to taste; white balsamic vinegar is an option to prevent discoloration)
– 1 1/2 cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes
– 1 1/2 cups small fresh mozzarella balls (pearlini or ciliegine), cut in half
– 6 fresh basil leaves, finely shredded
– Optional: Balsamic glaze for drizzling
Instructions
1-Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 3 cups of dry orecchiette pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes or as per package instructions. Once done, drain and cool the pasta completely to prevent it from becoming mushy later.
2-Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup pesto, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Taste and adjust as needed for a Best Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad flavor.
3-Step 3: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and toss it thoroughly with the dressing. Then, gently fold in 1 1/2 cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups halved small fresh mozzarella balls, and 6 finely shredded fresh basil leaves.
4-Step 4: Chill the salad in the refrigerator until youβre ready to serve, and just before plating, drizzle with balsamic glaze if you like. This Italian Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe is versatile, so consider it a Quick Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe for your next meal.
Notes
π½οΈ Substitute any small or short pasta shapes to suit your preference.
π± Use white balsamic vinegar to maintain bright color if adding extra vinegar.
π§ Mozzarella amount can be increased for a creamier texture and richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooling and chilling time: 15-30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: Caprese,Pesto,Pasta Salad,Quick