Fresh pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a tangy balsamic dressing for a light Italian dish.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 10 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
02 - Salt, to season boiling water
→ Vegetables & Cheese
03 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 5 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved if large
05 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small cucumber, diced (optional)
07 - 1 large handful (about 0.7 oz) fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking and cool.
02 - In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, cucumber if using, and fresh basil leaves.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat thoroughly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or chill for up to two hours before serving.
