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0 from 15 votes

Caprese Pasta Salad

This Caprese Pasta Salad is simple, full of good nutritious ingredients, and tastes even better than it looks! The flavors meld together into a refreshing and pure pasta salad. It keeps very well chilled in the fridge.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
28 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 474 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine: Italian-American Fussion

Ingredients

For the Basil Pesto: 
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed
  • 2 cups flat parsley leaves
  • ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil plus extra for sprinkling
  • ½ cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 whole shallot chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
For the Pasta Salad:
  • 1 lb dry fusilli pasta or rotini
  • 8 oz mini mozzarella balls or "pearl" mozzarella balls, halved
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes or grape, seeded and halved
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped green olives with pimientos

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the basil, parsley, olive oil, vinegar, shallot, garlic, salt, pepper. Pulse until finely chopped. Add more kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste. Set aside or wrap tightly and chill until ready to use.
  2. In a large heavy pot, bring well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta just until al dente, according to instructions, taking care not to cook past that.
  3. Drain fully but do not rinse. Transfer to a large serving bowl and sprinkle with a bit of olive oil, tossing so pasta is thinly coated. Let pasta cool to room temperature.
  4. When ready to serve, toss in the mozzarella halves, tomato halves, and optional olives, if using them.
  5. Add basil pesto and continue to lightly toss until well combined. Leftovers may be covered and chilled up to 3 days.

Notes

  • If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We ❤️ hearing from you! 
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  • If making this dish in advance, we suggest keeping pasta and sauce in separate containers until ready to toss and serve.
  • Note that the basil pesto may dull somewhat in color after 24 hours, but flavor remains the same.
  • For gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free rotini style pasta.
  • Serve with an extra sprinkle of Balsamic Glaze and Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast.

Nutrition Information

Calories 474kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 25g (38%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 13g Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 334mg (14%) Potassium 381mg (11%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1.871IU (0%) Vitamin C 35mg (39%) Calcium 158mg (16%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 474

% Daily Value*

Calories 474kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 25g 38%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 334mg 14%
Potassium 381mg 8%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1.871IU 0%
Vitamin C 35mg 39%
Calcium 158mg 16%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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