Description
Savor the flavors of summer with this vibrant Caprese pasta salad featuring a creamy avocado pesto dressing. Packed with fresh ingredients like ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and fragrant basil, this dish is both visually stunning and delicious. Perfect for gatherings or a light weeknight dinner, it’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time for your convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz mozzarella balls, halved (bocconcini or ciliegine)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 ripe avocado
- ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- 2. In a food processor, blend avocado, toasted pine nuts, basil leaves, lemon juice, and olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- 3. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls. Gently toss.
- 4. Add the avocado pesto dressing to the pasta mixture; toss until evenly coated.
- 5. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg