Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Tender bowtie pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil are tossed in a bright balsamic lemon vinaigrette.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 305
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces farfalle pasta (bow tie pasta) or other pasta, about 4 cups
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1-2 cups bocconcini balls or diced mozzarella cheese, about 7-14 ounces
- ¼ cup red onion diced
- ¼ cup fresh basil chiffonade or sliced thinly, plus extra for garnish
- 2 Tablespoons toasted pine nuts optional for garnish
- balsamic glaze for garnish
Vinaigrette
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed if possible
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente, according to package directions (don’t overcook!). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl, add cooled and drained pasta, tomatoes, cheese, onion, and basil.
- In a small bowl (or measuring cup), whisk together the olive oil, balsamic, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss to combine.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze, sprinkle with basil and pine nuts if using and serve.
Notes
- Nutrition calculated without balsamic glaze.
- To toast pine nuts:
- Add them to a dry pan on medium-high heat.
- Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Remove from the pan immediately.
- To make Caprese Salad ahead of time:
- Set aside ¼ of the vinaigrette.
- Toss the salad with the remaining vinaigrette and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, add the remaining dressing and toss.
- Leftovers:
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for 2-3 days.
- To refresh leftovers, add a splash of olive oil and vinegar (balsamic or wine vinegar), about 2-3 teaspoons of each, and sprinkle with a touch of salt and pepper. Toss.
- It is not recommended to freeze this pasta salad.
- Serve leftovers on top of lettuce or tuck into a wrap or pita for a hearty lunch.
Nutrition
Calories: 305 | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 352IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg