Caprese Pasta Salad

This is my go-to pasta salad for potlucks and picnics. It’s easy to make, uses basic ingredients, and is always a crowd pleaser. I like to use rotini noodles because they hold up well to the dressing, but feel free to use any type of pasta you like. The key to this salad is fresh mozzarella and tomatoes – so don’t skimp on those!

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. small shaped pasta, such as orecchiette, farfalle or campanelle
• 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 lb. (3 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz. mozzarella, torn 10 large fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, or until the pasta reaches al dente stage.

2. In a large serving bowl, stir together the oil, minced garlic, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.

3. When the pasta is done, drain it into a colander and tap it a few times to make sure you get most of the water off the pasta. Add the pasta to the bowl with the olive oil. Stir to coat.

4 While the pasta is cooling, slice the mozzarella in rounds, then tear those rounds into smaller pieces about the size of a nickel or a quarter, though they will range in shape and size.

5 Don’t worry ifthe pasta isn’t completely cool—just toss it a couple of times before you addthe cheese! Addtorn cheese tothe pasta… 6 …then slice tomatoes in halfand tear basil leavesbefore addingto salad! 7 Give everythinga quick stirto coatin olive oil—and serve cold, warm or at room temperature!

Nutrition Facts

• Serving size: 1/6 of recipe
• Calories: 511
• Fat: 17.5 g
• Saturated fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated fat: 14 g
• Trans fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 12 mg
• Sodium: 443 mg
• Potassium: 160 mg
• Carbohydrates: 68.5 g
• Fiber 4.5 g
• Sugar 2.5 g

FAQs

Is eating caprese salad healthy?

Yes, eating caprese salad is healthy. The salad is packed with nutrients like potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin A. Tomatoes get their signature red color from something called lycopene. Lycopene is linked to better heart and eye health. Basil – Basil is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and natural essential oils. All of these nutrients work together to boost your overall health.

Is a caprese healthy?

A caprese salad is a classic Italian dish made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. It is typically seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

This simple yet flavorful salad is not only delicious but also quite healthy. The tomatoes and mozzarella provide a good source of protein and calcium, while the basil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. The olive oil used to dress the salad adds some healthy fats to the mix.

How many carbs in calories in caprese salad?

A Caprese salad contains 14g of total carbs, 13g of net carbs, 24g of fat, 9g of protein and 320 calories. The amount of carbs in calories in a Caprese salad will depend on the ingredients used and how the salad is prepared.

The main ingredient in a Caprese salad is tomatoes. One large tomato has about 5 grams of carbohydrates. Other ingredients in a typical Caprese salad include mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Depending on the size and type of mozzarella cheese used, it can have anywhere from 0 to 8 grams of carbohydrates per ounce. A half-ounce serving of fresh basil leaves has about 1 gram of carbohydrate. And finally, olive oil and balsamic vinegar each have 0 grams of carbohydrate per tablespoon.

So if we take a look at a typical recipe for Caprese salad that calls for 1 pound of tomatoes (about 2 large tomatoes), 4 ounces (1/2 cup)of mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, it would have approximately 14 grams of total carbs: 5 grams from the tomatoes + 8 grams from the cheese + 1 gram from the basil = 14 grams total carbs.

How many calories are in mozzarella caprese?

Mozzarella caprese is a dish made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. It is typically served as an appetizer or a light meal. One serving of mozzarella caprese contains 117 calories.

The majority of the calories in this dish come from the mozzarella cheese. Mozzarella is a type of cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It is relatively high in fat and protein, which contributes to its calorie content. One ounce (28 grams) of mozzarella cheese contains about 85 calories (1).

Tomatoes are the next most prominent ingredient in mozzarella caprese. While they are not as high in calories as cheese, they still contribute a significant amount to the overall calorie count of the dish.One medium tomato contains about 22 calories (2).

Basil leaves are used for flavor and decoration in this dish. They are very low in calories, with just 2 calories per ounce (28 grams) (3). However, because they are used sparingly in this dish, they do not have a major impact on the total calorie content.

In summary, one serving of mozzarella caprese contains 117 Calories – 85 from Mozzarella Cheese , 22 from Tomatoes ,and 2 from Basil Leaves.