Description
A vibrant Mediterranean cold pasta salad using seasonal cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. Light, nutritious, and no-cook—perfect for summer picnics or quick lunches. Olive oil and lemon juice create a creamy dressing without added alcohol.
Ingredients
8 oz (225g) Rotini pasta
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
6 oz (170g) fresh mozzarella, cubed
½ cup fresh basil leaves, sliced
1 lemon, juiced
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water 2 minutes fewer than package instructions; rinse under cold water
Halve cherry tomatoes and cube mozzarella
Slice basil leaves into ribbons and zest 1 lemon
In a large bowl, toss warm pasta with olive oil to absorb
Add tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and lemon juice
Season with salt and pepper
Mix gently to avoid crushing ingredients
Chill in airtight container for 1 hour before serving
For best results, refrigerate up to 4 hours before eating
Notes
Use room-temperature mozzarella to avoid chilling pasta prematurely
Try gluten-free pasta or vegan mozzarella for dietary restrictions
Add pine nuts for nutty crunch or substitute feta for tangy contrast
Lift container lid monthly during refrigeration to prevent sogginess
Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 2 days
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Trending
- Method: Cold preparation
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
