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Fresh cherry tomato and mozzarella pasta salad garnished with basil leaves in a white bowl.

Caprese Pasta Salad

Sharon Best Profile PictureSharon Best
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling + Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course pasta, salads
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 532 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 ounces whole-grain short pasta such as fusilli or rotini
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls or one fresh mozzarella ball, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • 2-3 teaspoons white or regular balsamic vinegar to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente,1-2 minutes less than the package directions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside to cool slightly.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, combine the olive oil, tomatoes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the tomatoes have burst and released some of their juices, and the oil looks glossy and reddish, 5-7 minutes.
    Fresh cherry tomatoes cooking in a black skillet.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the warm pasta to the tomatoes and toss gently to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the mixture seems dry. Let cool until the pasta is just warm to the touch, 5-10 minutes. It should no longer be hot before you add the cheese.
    Savory roasted cherry tomato pasta in a black skillet, ready to serve, featuring fusilli pasta and fresh tomatoes.
  • Stir in the mozzarella pearls and basil. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and toss gently to combine, being careful not to break up the tomatoes too much. Taste and adjust, adding more vinegar and salt as needed.
    Fresh tortellini pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chopped basil.
  • Let the salad rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Serve slightly warm or at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate until chilled. If chilled, let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes and taste again, adding a little extra olive oil, vinegar, or salt just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 20gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 676mgFiber: 3g
Keyword caprese, cherry tomatoes, pasta salad
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