Caprese Pasta Salad

Summer is officially here and that means it is pasta salad season. I love a good pasta salad as a side dish at a barbecue, but in this case, I wanted to create one that’s a meal all on its own. By using a good high protein pasta, pasta salad can totally be the star of your meal. This Caprese Pasta Salad is simple, quick and easy to throw together, and is great as a side dish or all on its own. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Making caprese pasta salad 

I don’t know about you, but when it’s super hot out, I don’t feel like standing over a hot stove, so I like that this recipe requires minimal cooking. First, you’ll just cook your pasta according to package instructions, drain it, and set it aside to cool. I recently started using Brami’s protein pasta (I love the clean, simple ingredients, and it has great taste and texture) so that’s what I used here. You could also sub in a gluten free or low carb pasta if those better fit your lifestyle! 

Meanwhile, chop your tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil and set them aside. Then mix up your dressing ingredients and whisk them together, and now you’re ready to assemble. Combine pasta, mozzarella, tomato, and basil and give it a quick toss. Add in your dressing and toss to coat. You can enjoy the salad immediately, or let it sit in the fridge and marinade for a few hours before enjoying. Add some grilled chicken breast on top if you’re looking to up the protein content even more and enjoy! Store leftovers an airtight container in the fridge. 

Caprese Pasta Salad

Jacklin Altman

This pasta salad is protein-packed and perfect as a side dish for a summer BBQ or as a meal on its own!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 9 cups

Calories 134 kcal

Equipment

• Pasta Pot
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  

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Pasta Salad

• 6 cups cooked protein pasta 12 oz boxed cooked
• Fresh mozzarella chopped in half
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes sliced in half
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
• salt and pepper to taste

Vinaigrette

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic pressed
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

 

• Cook pasta of choice according to package instructions, drain, and set aside to cool.
• Chop your tomatoes, mozzarella, and bail and add to your cooled pasta.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over pasta salad. Mix well to fully coat. Enjoy immediately or let it sit in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) to marinate.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe yields 9 cups of pasta salad at 6 points each on WW. Click here to add to WW app.

*You can lower the points per serving by using a low carb pasta and adding some grilled boneless skinless chicken breast to up the protein

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 74mgPotassium: 238mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 282IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg

Keyword mozzarella, high protein, pasta salad, pasta, tomato

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