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Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad

  • Author: David
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Plant-Based

Description

Brighten your summer meals with this fresh and flavorful Caprese Pasta Salad. Featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, aromatic fresh basil, and creamy plant-based mozzarella, tossed with a tangy dressing made from extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar (natural), and apple cider vinegar (natural). This easy-to-make pasta salad offers a perfect balance of textures and colors that refresh and satisfy, ideal as a light main dish or a vibrant side for picnics, barbecues, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz rotini or fusilli pasta

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into bite-sized pieces

Cheese

  • 1 cup plant-based mozzarella, cubed

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (natural)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook rotini or fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
  2. Prepare Fresh Ingredients: While the pasta cools, halve the cherry or grape tomatoes, tear fresh basil leaves into bite-sized pieces, and cube the plant-based mozzarella. Mince a clove of garlic for the dressing.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil (natural), balsamic vinegar (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper until combined.
  4. Toss Salad: Combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, basil, and plant-based mozzarella in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and gently toss to evenly coat and combine flavors.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and optionally drizzle extra virgin olive oil (natural) just before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh basil to keep the salad bright and aromatic.
  • Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture.
  • Chill salad before serving to allow dressing to infuse flavors.
  • If adding nuts, toast them lightly in a dry pan to enhance crunch and flavor.
  • Adjust acidity of apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar to taste for perfect balance.
  • Drain and cool pasta well and add dressing just before serving to keep salad fresh and avoid sogginess.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: No cooking/baking required except boiling pasta
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Caprese pasta salad, plant-based mozzarella, summer salad, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, easy pasta salad, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://yummyrecipeszone.com/caprese-pasta-salad/