The classic Caprese salad is transformed into spaghetti. Fresh mozzarella was utilized; brick-style mozzarella would not have the same flavor. Use cieglini mozzarella and cut it in half if you can’t find pearlini. You can use regular rotini pasta, however the cooking time will change.
| Prep Time: | 10 mins |
| Cook Time: | 10 mins |
| Total Time: | 20 mins |
| Servings: | 6 |
| Yield: | 6 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rotini pasta
- 3 tablespoons pesto, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup halved grape tomatoes
- ½ cup small (pearlini) fresh mozzarella balls
- 2 leaves fresh basil leaves, finely shredded
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
- Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper in a bowl; add rotini. Toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 169 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 17 g |
| Cholesterol | 10 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Sodium | 173 mg |
| Sugars | 1 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 0 g |
Reviews
Fantastic combination, loved it. Served it along side Salmon
Loved both the simplicity and versatility of this recipe. So easy to season, and make it your own.
Very good and easy. Refreshing summer salad
We thought it was very tasty, warm and cold. Definitely, something we would fix again…I did however use double the pesto sauce (a little dry without doing that, and I doubled the tomatoes and mozzarella-a personal preference. I added the basil garnish fresh at the end. Thank you!
Really good recipe. I added lemon juice and a balsamic vinegar glaze, more basil and garlic….Yummy
Super easy and delicious. Everyone enjoyed this. Will definitely make again.
It is as just dry. It needed more sauce and flavor.
Great recipe! Easy, delicious. One thing I don’t like is when recipes use odd amounts of ingredients that are often used in a standard amount such as pasta. Just write the recipe with a 1lb box of pasta! Who measures it out??? So, I adjusted the entire thing to make a box.
This is a great recipe, but I added more pesto. Everyone loved it at the barbeque. I think next time I make it, I will add a couple tablespoons of mayonaise. I read in other recipes that adding mayo keeps the macaroni moist. I also cut up the mozzarella balls.
This recipe is easy and you can add ingredients that you or family might like! Can be versitile. Great for summer. Family loves it! I didn’t change anything about the recipe except, if I didn’t have fresh basil. Must have fresh basil. Add basil just before serving.
Very good! I did add balsamic vinegar as some other reviewers suggested.
Really good. Winged the proportions a bit. Added pepperoni and black olives. Fresh basil.
Add chicken for a weeks worth of hearty lunches!
most excellent !!! … however, don’t skimp on the EVOO … use 4 tablespoons instead of just one … and squeeze some fresh lemon juice (about a tablespoon into the mix) you’ll appreciate how it “freshens” it up !!!
This was a great base for a pesto salad….when it says “salad” then I expect it to have a little vinegar dressing, so I added balsamic vinegar to taste, along with kalamata olives, this is a great picnic salad, taking on boat tomorrow for lunch! Thanks, Laura in Asheville
First time I made this I used penne, second time I used farfalle. Think the penne was ever so slightly better, but both were excellent. Use a really good quality pesto for best results.
I made this and doubled the recipe. I am keeping this simple, yummy recipe in regular rotation!
I came across truffle barrata in a restaurant store … I had little idea what to do with it. This recipe was perfect!
Excellent! And SO easy! I added extra mozzarella because cheese makes everything better!
Delicious. Used homemade pesto to taste.
I loved this. I did add cooked chicken to add some protein and a tablespoon of basalmic vinegar. All in all, it was great.