Caprese Salad Pasta (Printable)

A fresh and vibrant pasta dish featuring juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fragrant basil tossed with olive oil.

# What Goes In:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Salad

03 - 9 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 7 oz mozzarella pearls (bocconcini), drained
05 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze, optional
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
09 - Salt to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander, rinse briefly under cold water to cool, and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil leaves.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently until evenly combined.
04 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If desired, drizzle with balsamic glaze.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil if desired, or refrigerate for 20-30 minutes for a chilled pasta salad.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout and tastes infinitely better.
  • The ingredients are so simple that even a mediocre tomato season cant ruin it.
  • You can serve it warm, cold, or at room temperature, which makes it perfect for any occasion.
  • Cleanup is minimal because everything happens in one bowl after draining the pasta.
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water prevents it from continuing to cook and becoming mushy, which is crucial for a salad-style dish.
  • If you add the mozzarella to piping hot pasta, it will melt into one gooey mass instead of staying in creamy little pearls.
  • Tearing basil instead of cutting it with a knife keeps the edges from browning and preserves its bright flavor.
03 -
  • Use a pasta shape with ridges or curves so the olive oil and tomato juice cling to every bite instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • If you can find buffalo mozzarella, it's worth the splurge because the creaminess is unmatched.
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle heat that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes and balsamic glaze.
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