CAPRESE PASTA SALAD

This perfect combination of ingredients is great as an appetizer or a salad.

Ingredients:

• 16-oz. box Rotini pasta, cooked to al dente and drained
• 8-oz. container grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8-oz. package Mozzarella pearls
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!

Notes

• Pesto is easy to find at most grocery stores, but feel free to make your own pesto if you’re feeling adventurous. It is easy to make and soo delicious!
• If you are unable to find fresh mozzarella balls (look in the specialty cheese section of your local grocery store), purchase a chunk of fresh mozzarella instead and cut it into 1/2-inch chunks.
• Turn this into a gluten free salad by using gluten free pasta!
• Keep this salad covered and in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days, so it is a great make-ahead dish.
• Replace fresh basil with 1 tablespoon of dried basil in a pinch!
• Sprinkle a thin layer of salt and black pepper over the top of the salad just before serving.
• This makes a large bowl full of pasta salad, so feel free to cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch.
• Add shredded or chopped grilled chicken for extra protein.

Recipes by pipandebby

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