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Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Creamy Burrata Basil Vinaigrette

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A fresh Caprese pasta salad featuring creamy burrata and a bright basil vinaigrette, perfect for a quick, satisfying summer meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) short pasta like fusilli, rotini, or penne
  • 8 ounces (225 g) creamy burrata cheese, fresh and soft
  • 2 cups (300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced finely
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water. Set aside to drain thoroughly for about 5 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, and optional 1 teaspoon honey. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  3. Halve 2 cups (300 g) cherry tomatoes and roughly tear 1 cup fresh basil leaves. Tear 8 ounces (225 g) burrata into bite-sized pieces, preserving the creamy center.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and torn basil leaves. Pour the basil vinaigrette over and toss gently to coat evenly, being careful not to break the tomatoes.
  5. Gently fold in the torn burrata pieces, allowing the creamy texture to meld into the pasta while keeping the cheese’s shape.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Let the salad rest for 10–15 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to marry.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent stickiness. Use fresh, high-quality burrata for best creaminess. Whisk vinaigrette thoroughly for proper emulsification. Toss gently to keep tomatoes intact and burrata in soft chunks. Prepare vinaigrette and chop veggies ahead, but add burrata just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese pasta salad, burrata, basil vinaigrette, summer salad, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/fresh-caprese-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-burrata-basil-vinaigrette/