Description
Summer calls for this balsamic strawberry pasta salad, perfect for picnics and gatherings. Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a light yet satisfying dish you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups strawberries (fresh, hulled and sliced)
- 8 oz (226 g) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls (fresh, or cubed)
- ¼ cup basil (fresh, chopped)
- ¼ cup almonds (sliced, toasted)
- 2 tbsps balsamic glaze (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, then immediately rinse under cold water to halt cooking and preserve ideal texture.
- Fruit and Cheese Integration: Gently combine chilled pasta with thinly sliced strawberries, crumbled mozzarella, and toasted almonds in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and textural foundation.
- Herbal Infusion: Delicately tear fresh basil leaves and scatter throughout the mixture, allowing their aromatic essence to permeate the ingredients.
- Flavor Enhancement: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze across the salad, using a gentle folding technique to ensure comprehensive flavor distribution without compromising ingredient integrity.
- Seasoning and Refinement: Artfully season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestion: Chill for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to harmonize, or serve immediately with an elegant final drizzle of balsamic glaze for maximum culinary impact.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta al dente to maintain a firm texture, preventing mushiness and ensuring the right bite in your salad.
- Strawberry Selection: Choose ripe, sweet strawberries at peak season for maximum flavor intensity and vibrant color in the dish.
- Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad briefly to allow ingredients to marry, enhancing the overall taste and letting the balsamic notes penetrate deeply.
- Customization Flexibility: Swap mozzarella with goat cheese for a tangier profile or use vegan cheese alternatives to make the recipe dairy-free and accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg