Description
Sweet summer strawberries dance with tangy balsamic in this refreshing Balsamic Strawberry Pasta Salad, blending Mediterranean flavors into a light, elegant dish. Crisp herbs and creamy goat cheese elevate this colorful salad, promising a delightful experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls (or cubed mozzarella)
Garnish and Crunch:
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by boiling in a pot of salted water until al dente, ensuring a firm texture. Immediately transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and cool down the pasta.
- While the pasta cools, slice fresh strawberries into delicate, thin wedges to release their natural sweetness and create an elegant visual appeal.
- Select a spacious mixing vessel and combine the chilled pasta with the strawberry slices, creating a vibrant base for the salad.
- Crumble mozzarella into rustic chunks, allowing the cheese to provide creamy pockets of flavor throughout the dish.
- Sprinkle toasted almonds over the mixture, introducing a satisfying crunch and nutty undertone to the salad’s composition.
- Tear fresh basil leaves into delicate pieces, scattering them generously to infuse the dish with an aromatic herbal essence.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze across the ingredients, using a gentle folding motion to ensure even distribution without bruising the delicate components.
- Season with a delicate balance of salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve a harmonious flavor profile.
- For optimal taste, refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. Alternatively, serve immediately with an additional artistic drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Notes
- Swap regular pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions and boost nutritional value.
- Toast almonds briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Use fresh, in-season strawberries for the most vibrant taste and sweetest natural flavor profile.
- Prepare the salad just before serving to maintain the perfect texture of almonds and prevent pasta from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg