Super Simple Caprese Pasta Salad

Submitted by ButterflyMom4

"Great summer salad, good for potlucks and picnics, size can be easily doubled or halved. Also adaptable to extra ingredients. I'm a purist but you could add garlic, olives, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, chicken, anything you like. Salt heavily, it brings out the flavor of the mozzarella."

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1 lb pasta
• 1 lb cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 8 ounces fresh milk mozzarella cheese (I used the little balls, but you can dice up a large ball)
• 1⁄2 cup thinly sliced basil
• 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• sea salt
• fresh black pepper

directions

1. Boil pasta to box directions in liberally salted water. Drain well.
2. Quarter tomatoes, (and cheese if necessary) Slice basil very thin.
3. Combine tomatoes, cheese, and basil. Salt and pepper heavily.
4. Toss together with pasta, oil and vinegar.
5. Let rest an hour at least to combine flavors.