Caprese Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Additional Time
2 hrs 30 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
386 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course, Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
Description
This pasta salad integrates cooked and cooled rotini pasta with halved grape tomatoes marinated in a dressing made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper to soften and enhance their flavor. The salad mixes in cubed mozzarella, diced red onion, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves, making for a varied texture with creamy cheese, crisp onions, and tender tomatoes.
The balsamic glaze drizzled just before serving lends a slight sweetness and acidity that balances the richness of the cheese and oil. This cold salad works well as a side for grilled meats or on its own for a light meal or picnic dish.
Marinating the tomatoes ahead is key to developing the salad’s depth. Adjusting dressing proportions allows tuning the flavor intensity, and adding a spoonful of pesto or oil from sun-dried tomatoes can introduce additional complexity.
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta cooked & cooled
- 3 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese cubed
- ½ cup red onion diced
- ⅓ cup tomatoes sun dried
- ¼ cup basil chopped, fresh
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3-4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Place dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Add tomatoes to the dressing mix and allow to marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- Combine pasta, mozzarella, red onion and sun dried tomatoes in a large bowl. Toss with tomato/dressing mixture and season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
- Chop fresh basil. Drizzle salad with balsamic glaze and sprinkle basil on top just before serving.
Notes
- Marinate tomatoes in dressing for at least 30 minutes to develop flavor before mixing with pasta and cheese.
- Use oil from sun-dried tomatoes to enhance the salad's taste when available.
- Balsamic glaze should be drizzled just before serving to keep the salad fresh and add a subtle tang.
- Experiment with substituting red wine vinegar for balsamic vinegar carefully, as balsamic has a stronger flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 386 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 386 | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 172mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 365mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 480IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 7.2mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 226mg | 23% |
| Iron | 1.3mg | 7% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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