The Perfect Caprese Pasta Salad for Your Summer Shindig
Caprese pasta salad starts with your pasta of choice. Delicious cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese. It’s so easy to make, and enjoy! Trust me when I say that this pasta salad will become one of your go to recipes this summer!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! One of my favorite things about this holiday weekend – besides this pasta salad 🙂 – is the BBQ’s, warm weather, and the fact that it’s the unofficial start of summer. The weather has been taking a turn for us here on Long Island. While we can’t escape the occasional thunderstorms (which I love), the warmer temperatures are more consistent.
On the home front, we’ve been straying from our usual nature walks in the woods, and making our way around the block to the beach more and more. I cannot wait to spend our summer mornings parked on the sand. In fact, as I write this at my desk, the crisp air is wafting in scents of the salt water from the harbor through my window. A beautiful reminder of the summer fun headed our way.
While I hope to get us out to the beach this afternoon, Nora is on antibiotics so we might be staying close to home just to keep her safe and well rested. I hope this unofficial start to summer brings lots of fun, quality family time your way!
Oh, and a personal favor – please remember to share the significance of this holiday with your little ones. Let’s remember those who so honorably sacrificed their lives to ensure the safety of this great nation. And, if you see a member of the military today or any other day, make sure to thank them for their service to this country.
A few ways to give back to our heroes:
Wounded Warrior Project – supporting veterans who sustained a physical or mental injury in combat post 9/11.
Homes for Our Troops – builds adaptive homes for post-9/11 Veterans.
K9s for Warriors – provides highly trained service dogs to military veterans.
Now, onto this caprese pasta salad, it is absolutely delicious and you still have time to make it for your weekend bbq!
CAPRESE PASTA SALAD
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fusilli pasta
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- a pinch of sea salt
- 1, 8 oz. mozzarella ball chopped into cubes
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh basil
- 3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of water to boil, and cook by following instructions on package. Drain pasta, and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, it’s time to prep the cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Set aside.
- Once pasta has cooled, add tomatoes , extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. Give it a good stir.
- Next, add the fresh mozzarella cheese, and combine well.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil.
- And, enjoy!
Tip: You may want to add an Italian salad dressing of your choice. I suggest having a bottle of your favorite dressing on the side so, that it can be added once plated. In my opinion, adding a dressing to this salad would make it spoil faster.
