Simple Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A refreshing pasta salad combining cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil tossed with penne and drizzled with tangy balsamic glaze. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 17 minutes, pairs penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup halved fresh mozzarella balls, and 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the salad. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss gently to combine.
  4. Step 4: Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle 2 tbsp balsamic glaze evenly over the top before serving.

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