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Mozzarella Pasta Salad – Loaded with flavor and color! With crisp vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and tossed with a delicious parmesan dressing, this mozzarella pasta salad is the perfect side dish or main course for a warm Spring or Summer evening. Ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish, the pasta salad keeps very well in the refrigerator so you can make it in advance and bring it to a potluck. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the pasta salad
- 3/4 pound (350g) pasta shells
- 1/2 cup ground tomatoes (also known as tomato purée or crushed tomatoes)
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 pound (100g) sun-dried tomatoes, drained from oil, and cut into strips
- 1 medium cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 pound (225g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella balls, or diced mozzarella
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the mozzarella pasta salad: Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.
2. In the meantime, in a large bowl, combine ground tomatoes (pureed tomatoes), balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to your liking with salt and pepper.
3. Rinse the pasta with cold water, drain, then mix with the tomato-balsamic-parmesan dressing. Add the remaining ingredients into the salad bowl: mozzarella balls, sun-dried tomatoes, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
4. Mix everything well, adjust seasoning again if necessary. Serve the mozzarella pasta salad immediately or chill until serving. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the mozzarella pasta salad recipe
This pasta salad is easy, ready in 15 minutes, and features some of our favorite summer ingredients. It’s perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs, or as a no-fuss family dinner for a warm evening.
- Additional add-ins that go well with this salad would include chopped olives, fresh basil, feta cheese, or some protein like a shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Being a cold pasta salad makes it perfect for summer, picnics, or potlucks. You can make it up to a day in advance, leaving the dressing and tomatoes until you are ready to serve the pasta salad. So you’ll keep the ingredients as fresh as possible.
What other type of pasta can we use for the salad?
Apart from pasta shells, choose hearty pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, rotini, and farfalle. They won’t turn mushy as quickly as thinner pasta shapes, and they also have the advantage to hold the dressing better.
How long to keep the mozzarella pasta salad recipe leftovers?
The mozzarella pasta salad can stay in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a tightly closed container.
More chicken salad recipes you might like
- Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad
- Healthy Spinach Chicken Salad with Cauliflower
- Spinach Corn Feta Chicken Salad
- Roasted Chicken Parmesan Kale Salad
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
