Switch things up from a traditional caprese salad by using this recipe to make a caprese pasta salad at home.

 

 

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups chopped tomatoes cut in 1/2-inch cubes
• 1-1/2 cups fresh mozzarella cut in 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 10 large basil leaves cut as a chiffonade
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 ounces medium pasta shells
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for cooking pasta)

 

Directions

1. Combine tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, basil, garlic red pepper flakes and ½ teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside while preparing pasta or in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours.
2. Prepare the pasta by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt and pasta. Cook until al dente, about 1 minute less than the package directs.
3. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain pasta well.
4. Add pasta to tomato mixture and stir well to mix. Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water and stir again. If you want a more moist salad add more pasta water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time until it is as you like it.
5. Serve hot or at room temperature.

 

Serves 6

 

*The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.