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Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe with Sweet Balsamic Glaze

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A quick and easy summer pasta salad featuring fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, and a homemade sweet balsamic glaze that adds a bright, tangy-sweet finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz small pasta shapes like orecchiette, mini shells, or penne (choose gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop cooking. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, pour ½ cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons brown sugar into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until sugar dissolves and mixture reduces by half, becoming thick and syrupy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Halve 2 cups cherry tomatoes, tear 8 oz fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces, roughly tear 1 cup fresh basil leaves, and mince 1 garlic clove if using.
  4. Add tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic to the cooled pasta. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and toss gently to combine without smashing the mozzarella.
  5. Just before serving, drizzle the sweet balsamic glaze generously over the salad. Toss lightly again to distribute the glaze without diluting its sweetness and thickness.
  6. Serve immediately or within a couple of hours to keep mozzarella fresh and basil vibrant.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to stop cooking and cool it, but don’t rinse excessively to help the pasta hold oil and glaze. Make balsamic glaze yourself for better flavor control. Add glaze just before serving to avoid sogginess. Chill salad for 15 minutes before serving to meld flavors but do not wait too long to prevent basil wilting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese pasta salad, balsamic glaze, summer salad, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, easy pasta salad, gluten-free pasta salad

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/fresh-caprese-pasta-salad-recipe-with-sweet-balsamic-glaze-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/