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Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

July 28, 2015 by jessfuel 17 Comments

This Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad features ripe summer tomatoes, whole wheat pasta and fresh mozzarella, all tossed in a homemade pesto sauce. It’s perfect as a summer side dish or light meal!

Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

Heyo! Last week was pretty exciting– I got my hubby back after he’d been gone for a month-long training out in the middle of the ocean.

And I got to go to work with him for the day on an aircraft carrier (the one he’d been on for the last month). It was pretty cool to get to see his home away from home. One thing I’ll say, I could never do it. Trust me, this was no Royal Caribbean. Although I have to say, his “state room” (aka bedroom) was bigger than I was expecting. Though there were 6 guys sharing it, size-wise it wasn’t any more cramped than a college dorm room.

Aircraft Carrier

We had a really long (14 hour) day out at sea, and by the end of the day I could almost find my way around some of the boat. Almost. We definitely got lost a lot. The best part of the day was getting to see the jets getting launched off the boat and then coming back and landing. We were super up close and personal. Maybe 100 yards? Less even? I tried to take videos, but I kept getting too scared (those things are LOUD). Hehe, I’m kind of a wimp.

F-18 Super Hornet

Anyways, I’m glad to have my hubby back because now I can start cooking up a storm for him. I hardly ever cook when he’s gone! I hate to admit it, but my meals usually consist of egg sandwiches, cheese & crackers, or cereal when Nick isn’t home. Cooking for one is lame!

When Nick’s gone, I need to find extra reasons to cook. Like inviting all the ladies over for girls’ night! Which is exactly what I did when I made this delicious Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad. I had bushels and bushels of basil (I still do), so more pesto was in order. Caprese salad sounded delish, and to make it into more of a meal I decided to toss it all with some pasta.

The pasta salad was a huge hit, and definitely something I’ll have to make again for the hubs. It’s perfect for a summer potluck, a light meal, or as a side to some grilled meats!

Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad
 
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Author: Flying on Jess Fuel
Recipe type: Side Dish
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp toasted walnuts (or pine nuts)
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
  • 1 garlic glove
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 1 (16 oz) package whole wheat bow tie pasta, cooked to al dente according to package directions and cooled
  • 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 2 (8 oz) balls fresh mozzarella, cubed
Instructions
  1. Place basil, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice and 1 tbsp olive oil in a food processor. Blend to combine.
  2. With the food processor running, stream in additional olive oil, until pesto is smooth. Season with salt & pepper.
  3. In a large bowl, toss together pesto, pasta, tomatoes and mozzarella until evenly coated.
3.3.3077

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Filed Under: Pasta & Pizza, Sides Tagged With: pasta, pesto, tomatoes

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Comments

  1. Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says

    July 28, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I am a big fan of caprese and of pesto! They work so well together!

    Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    July 28, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    Jess I love pesto based pasta salads and I on the other hand can’t find good basil!! It’s like $4 for a tiny bunch here! Next year I have all the plans to grow basil! This looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • jessfuel says

      July 29, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      Yes, definitely grow your own! It’s pretty easy to grow and SO much cheaper!

      Reply
  3. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    July 29, 2015 at 4:18 am

    Oh man you just combined two of my favorites, Jess! I can’t get enough of caprese or pesto! This sounds SO good! I think I would devour this for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

    Reply
    • jessfuel says

      July 29, 2015 at 2:06 pm

      I know, right!? Such great summer flavors!! Thanks, Gayle!

      Reply
  4. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says

    July 29, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    This might be the best way I can get my 7 year old to try pesto. Pasta and mozz cheese are her favorite.

    Reply
  5. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says

    July 30, 2015 at 5:25 am

    This is essentially my idea of heaven in a bowl. I love pesto, and anything caprese!

    Reply
    • jessfuel says

      August 4, 2015 at 11:12 am

      Thanks, Morgan!! It was pretty darn yummy!

      Reply
  6. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    July 30, 2015 at 11:47 am

    That is so cool! Definitely more exciting than visiting my hubs at work! Lol. I love pesto — such a great summer salad!

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    July 30, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    How awesome to get to spend a day on your husband’s aircraft carrier! Those things are huge!
    I love any and all forms of pasta salad. The pesto on this one looks incredible!

    Reply
  8. Danielle says

    July 30, 2015 at 7:59 pm

    Cooking for one is not fun, I literally don’t cook dinner when Josh is gone! Glad to hear that he’s back home though. This pasta salad looks so fantastic, I love the caprese twist too! Such a perfect summer meal.

    Reply
  9. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

    July 31, 2015 at 2:26 am

    So cool that you got to spend the day out on your husband’s aircraft carrier and see where his home away from home is. Love this pasta salad you made! It looks fantastic and the caprese twist is perfect for summer!

    Reply
  10. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    July 31, 2015 at 5:17 am

    This pasta salad is seriously SO gorgeous, Jess! You totally won my heart with all that pesto + caprese goodness! This is going on the dinner menu for sure!

    Reply
    • jessfuel says

      August 4, 2015 at 11:10 am

      Thanks, Sarah! I’ll definitely be making this one again– so good!

      Reply
  11. Valentina | The Baking Fairy says

    August 1, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Oh, yum! I recently made caprese pasta salad too, but the addition of pesto is total genius. I bet it adds so much delicious flavor!

    Reply
    • jessfuel says

      August 4, 2015 at 11:10 am

      Yep! It was pretty amazing! You’ll have to try!! Such great summer flavor. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Off to school! | That Healthy Mama says:
    May 6, 2016 at 2:40 pm

    […] Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad. (2015). Retrieved May 06, 2016, from https://www.jessfuel.com/2015/07/28/pesto-caprese-pasta-salad/ […]

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ABOUT JESS

Jess is home cook, foodie and proud Navy wife. She grew up in Boston and now lives on the West Coast. She loves to blog, travel, read and write. When she's not working or blogging, she can be found running or relaxing with a glass of wine. Read More…

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