Description
A delightful twist on the classic Caprese salad, this Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad combines pasta with sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella pearls, all tossed in a flavorful pesto dressing. Perfect for BBQs and potlucks!
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 3 cups dry orecchiette pasta, or other small pasta, (or 4 1/2 cups cooked pasta)
Pesto Dressing:
- 1/3 cup pesto, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, more to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups small pearlini fresh mozzarella balls, (or ciliegine cut in half)
- 6 leaves fresh basil leaves, finely shredded
- (optional) balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook pasta al dente, about 8 minutes or according to the package directions; drain and cool.
- Prepare Pesto Dressing: Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar in a large bowl. Adjust balsamic vinegar to taste.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the pesto dressing and toss to coat.
- Combine Ingredients: Fold in tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and shredded basil.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the salad in the fridge until ready to eat. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
