Pasta Salad Season

Caprese salad and pasta salad are two of my absolute favorites so I decided to combine them into one of the simplest recipes. It is easy, delicious, and refreshing all in one! In the summer, my mom has a little garden with basil and tomatoes so that is what I choose to use when available to make the salad even more fresh but grocery store products work just fine when they are not available. Here is the recipe-

1 12 ox box of Bowtie Pasta (or your pasta preference)
5 large basil leaves
1 8 oz. Mozzarella Cheese
10 cherry tomatoes
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt & Pepper to taste

Cook the pasta according to the package, drain, and cool.
Adding about a tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water will help the pasta from sticking once it is cooled. 

Roughly chop the basil leaves. Cut the mozzarella into even cubes. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half Once they are chopped, cubed, and sliced lightly toss them together.

In a separate bowl toss the chilled pasta in about a tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar to your liking, and salt and pepper to taste. Once that is combined and tossed evenly add the mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes into the pasta. Toss them together so that there is an even amount of each ingredient in every bite.

Keep refrigerated.

Enjoy!

xo