Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil
Chilled pasta salad combining orecchiette with ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella or queso fresco, and aromatic basil. Dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, finished with oregano and a optional drizzle of balsamic glaze. Light, refreshing, and adaptable to your cheese preference.
Ingredients
- 1 package pasta (orecchiette preferred), uncooked
- salt, for pasta water(optional)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, whole
- 1 ¼ cups fresh cheese or mozzarella, unspecified cut
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon oregano, dried
- salt and pepper, to taste(optional)
- 4 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- balsamic glaze, optional(optional)
- Parmesan cheese, grated, optional(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Cook pasta according to package directions, adding salt to the water.
- 2
Drain pasta and pass through cold water.
- 3
Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- 4
Add halved cherry tomatoes to the dressing.
- 5
Cut cheese into regular cubes and mix with tomatoes.
- 6
Let the mixture rest for a few minutes.
- 7
Combine with the cooled pasta.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- 9
Fold in fresh chopped basil.
- 10
Optional: drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
Resting the tomato-cheese mixture before combining with pasta allows flavors to meld and cheese to soften slightly.
Cooling pasta thoroughly prevents the salad from becoming warm and wilting the basil.
Use fresh, quality basil and add it just before serving to preserve color and flavor.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Best consumed within 24 hours before basil darkens.
Prepare dressing and chop vegetables 4 hours ahead. Cook pasta and chill. Assemble and add basil within 2 hours of serving.
Serve chilled as a side dish or light main course. Pairs well with grilled proteins or served alone.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip cooling pasta in cold water to avoid a warm, wilted salad.
Do not add basil until just before serving to avoid discoloration and flavor loss.
Do not overdress to avoid soggy pasta; add dressing gradually and taste as you go.