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Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Zesty Pesto Twist

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A quick and easy Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad with a zesty homemade pesto twist, bursting with fresh Italian flavors perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn or cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed and torn
  • For the Zesty Pesto:
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
  • Salt and pepper to season pasta water and salad

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, combine 2 cups fresh basil, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 2 minced garlic cloves, and juice of 1 lemon in a food processor. Pulse until combined but slightly chunky. Season with salt and pepper. Add reserved pasta water or olive oil if too thick.
  3. Transfer warm pasta to a large mixing bowl. Pour pesto over pasta and toss gently to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
  4. Fold in 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces torn mozzarella, and 1 cup torn basil leaves. Mix gently to combine without breaking the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Optionally, drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to meld flavors.

Notes

Do not overmix the mozzarella to avoid mushiness. Toast pine nuts or walnuts lightly for extra flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen pesto if needed. Use fresh, vibrant basil for best flavor. For vegan version, substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese pasta salad, zesty pesto, fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, summer salad, easy pasta salad, Italian pasta salad

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/fresh-caprese-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-zesty-pesto-twist/