This simple caprese pasta salad is a quick dish that is packed with flavor. Whether you need a dish for a party or dinner side dish, this is the recipe for you.
This is my second caprese recipe I have posted on my blog. And believe me it’s not going to be my last. There is just something about caprese salad I just love.
It probably most has to do with the fresh mozzarella that I love the most. Or the balsamic reduction. Or maybe even the tomatoes mixed with olive oil and spices. I can’t decide which is my favorite part.
There is nothing like a good cold pasta salad. Who doesn’t love pasta? I wish I could eat it more often, but that’s where my current low carb diet stops me. So that’s why I decided to use whole wheat pasta in this recipe. At least getting some health benefits out of the pasta.
Have you tried Brianna’s salad dressings before? If you haven’t, you should. All of their dressings are so full of flavor. And no, this is not a paid post. I just really love their dressings.
This french vinaigrette dressing is my favorite. I remember my mom buying this dressing when I was a kid. I always called it the artichoke dressing due to the picture on the bottle.
A little known fact is Brianna’s is made right here in Texas. Austin, Texas to be exact. Oh the best things come from Texas. Hehe.
Now this is how simple this recipe is. Cook your pasta as directed on the package then drain and rinse with cold water until your pasta is cooled down.
Slice up your tomatoes and chop up your basil and add both along with mozzarella balls to the pasta and pour the dressing over it. Then mix it all together. Cover and refrigerate. The longer you let it sit in the refrigerate the better the pasta will soak up the flavor.
Before serving make your balsamic reduction and them drizzle over top. I have also recently found balsamic reduction in a bottle ready to go at my local grocery store. I will for sure using this next time I need some balsamic reduction.
So with just a few ingredients and little effort you can have a fantastic dish to serve at your next summer party.
Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 8 oz mozzarella balls
- 1 container cherry tomatoes 30 tomatoes
- 1 bottle Brianna’s french vinaigrette dressing
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
Balsamic Reduction
- 2 cups balsamic vinager
- 2 TBSP honey
Instructions
- Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain and run under cold water until pasta is cooled off
- slice cherry tomatoes in half
- Add all ingredients in a big bowl and mix together, cover and refrigerate
- Before serving cook balsamic vinegar by bringing balsamic vinegar and honey to boil and reduce heat to a shimmer and cook until it has reduced by half
- Drizzle balsamic reduction before serving pasta
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