Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad
A fresh, creamy pasta salad bursting with flavors of basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls, ideal for a healthy lifestyle or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz Fusilli or penne pasta Choose your favorite pasta shape for texture.
- 1 cup Basil pesto Opt for high-quality pesto for best flavor.
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved Sweet bursts of freshness.
- 8 oz Mozzarella balls, drained Creamy richness to complement the salad.
- 2 tbsp Olive oil Adds healthy fats and depth of flavor.
- to taste Salt and pepper Essential for elevating all flavors.
- for garnish Fresh basil leaves Adds aroma and color on top.
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients and cooking equipment.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- While waiting for the water, wash the cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
- Drain the mozzarella balls and let them sit at room temperature.
Cooking & Assembling
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions, typically around 8-10 minutes.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls.
- Drizzle olive oil over the pasta salad, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss everything gently until well combined.
Serving
- Transfer the Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad to a serving bowl.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an added touch.
- Serve immediately for a warm dish or chill in the fridge for up to an hour for a cool salad.
Notes
Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to a month, but expect some texture change when thawed. For added nutrition, consider tossing in some chopped spinach or arugula.