Description
A delightful pasta salad combining creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and vibrant tomatoes, all tossed with a silky dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz short pasta (like rotini or penne)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, halved
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a bowl, whisk together heavy cream, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine drained pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat.
- Add torn basil leaves and toss lightly.
- If the salad is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Garnish with extra basil or parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or plant-based cream. Fresh ingredients make a big difference in flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Assembly
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: pasta salad, caprese, creamy, vegan option, summer salad