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–+ servings
Two white plates and one big bowl full of pasta salad with tomatoes, cheese, and basil.

Caprese Pasta Salad

Allie Hagerty
This protein-packed Caprese Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish this summer! Vegetarian-friendly and simple to make!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Time to Chill 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 307 kcal

Equipment

  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • cutting board
  • chef's knife
  • mixing bowls
  • microplane
  • citrus juicer

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad

  • 1 pound cooked pasta
  • 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1.5 cups fresh basil you can keep the leaves whole or chop/tear them
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning blend

For the Dressing

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • zest of 1 lemon

Instructions
 

  • Add all of the ingredients for the dressing ( 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, zest and juice of 1 lemon) in a small bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the remaining pasta salad ingredients. Next, pour in the dressing. toss to combine, until the pasta salad is coated evenly with dressing. Cover the bowl with a lid or wrap and allow it to marinate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) in the fridge.

Notes

To enhance the freshness, add the basil just before serving your Caprese Pasta Salad. This ensures the vibrant green color and the aromatic flavor of the basil are at their peak, making each forkful a burst of summer goodness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 33.6gProtein: 16.1gFat: 14.1gSaturated Fat: 4.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.7gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 353.3mgPotassium: 148.5mgFiber: 2.4gSugar: 2.8g
Keyword Italian, Pasta, Pasta Salad, tomatoes, Vegetarian
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