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Individual Caprese Pasta Salads

Individual Caprese Pasta Salads are a fun way to pack a cooler for a picnic, or to serve to your guests at a gathering in the back yard.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 individual side salads
Calories: 387 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

for the balsamic vinaigrette:
  • ½ c. extra virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ c. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 large clove garlic minced
  • 2 T. minced sweet yellow onion
  • 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
for the salad:
  • 8 oz. cavatappi noodles cooked to al dente in salted water, and then cooled and drained
  • 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 12 oz. "cherry size" mozzarella balls
  • 1.5 c. halved cherry tomatoes
  • 10 to 12 large basil leaves sliced very thinly
  • ⅓ c. finely shredded Parmesan cheese
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

for the balsamic vinaigrette:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, onion, Dijon mustard, and honey. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
for the salad:
  1. Place cooled and drained cavatappi noodles in a medium size bowl and drizzle olive oil over the top. Fold to coat.
  2. Set out six wide-mouth pint jars. Divide mozzarella balls evenly between the jars. Whisk the balsamic vinaigrette to incorporate, and then pour over mozzarella balls just to cover the mozzarella.
  3. Divide cavatappi amongst the jars, and then the halved tomatoes. Top with sliced basil and shredded Parmesan, followed by a bit of freshly ground black pepper. Top each jar with a lid and refrigerate until ready to eat. When ready to eat, turn individual jars upside-down to let the vinaigrette move through the rest of the jar, and then shake several times to incorporate. Remove lids and enjoy.
  4. Salads keep well in the refrigerator for a few days.

Notes

  • from a farmgirl’s dabbles

Nutrition Information

Calories 387kcal (19%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6individual side salads

Amount Per Serving

Calories 387

% Daily Value*

Calories 387kcal 19%

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