Creamy Caprese Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing

Creamy Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
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Whoever said pasta was off-limits clearly didn’t know about the 80/20 diet. Many of us have been brainwashed into thinking we must find substitutions for carbohydrates and that they are always a no-go. I believe there is a time and a place for everything, and if you play your cards right and learn how to consume your favorite foods in moderation, you can literally have your cake and eat it too.

Being that it is summer and my tomato plants are producing an abundance of juicy, ripe, vibrantly colored fruit (yes, tomatoes are actually a fruit), I have been coming up with creative ways to toss them into all of my dishes. I also have been lucky that my herbs really took off this year too, so I have basil up the wazoo (definitely not complaining about that!).

Typically, I enjoy a nice Caprese salad on a hot summer day and layer fresh mozzarella with my plump tomatoes and freshly cut basil, alongside a healthy-sized drizzle of balsamic reduction. However, when I am in the mood for something a little heartier, I will add these same ingredients to pasta and toss in some grilled chicken to up the protein.

I always enjoy making my own salad dressings, and there’s no exception when making pasta salad. I have found that a creamier dressing pairs well with this, and then I add a drizzle of balsamic reduction to really make this recipe pop.

Creamy Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Creamy Caprese Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing

Who says you can’t enjoy a fresh summer pasta salad? (Especially when you toss in some fresh garden ingredients!)
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Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 0
Calories: 505kcal

Ingredients

Pasta Salad Ingredients

  • 1¼ cup bowtie pasta
  • 3-6 mozzarella cheese ball bites
  • 7 grape tomatoes
  • 1 grilled chicken breast without bones or skin
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil
  • balsamic reduction drizzle

Italian Dressing Recipe

  • 1 garlic clove peeled
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • 3 tbsp buttermilk fat free
  • 2 tbsp mayo
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp agave
  • 1 Italian dressing seasoning packet

Instructions

Italian Dressing

  • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk (or a jar andshake).
  • Add to salad (pasta salad).

Notes

Pasta Salad ingredients are simply bowtie pasta (1 1/4 cup), small pearl-sized mozzarella ball bites (3 – 6), grape tomatoes (7), grilled chicken (1 piece without bone or skin), and fresh basil (2 Tbsp). As mentioned, I drizzle balsamic (often reduced) to the top with around 2 Tbsp of the dressing above.

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcal | Fat: 19g | Protein: 30g | Carbohydrates: 55g
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Cristina is a Metabolic Effect L3 Nutrition Consultant and a Precision Nutrition L2 Nutrition Coach. Cristina's passion is to help others discover how great their bodies are meant to feel. Whether you're looking to improve your diet, increase energy levels, manage stress, or simply lead a more balanced life, Cristina provides the guidance, support, and tools necessary to make lasting changes. When she isn’t in the kitchen creating nutritious and delicious recipes, or leading one of our Shape-Up Challenges, Cristina enjoys soaking up the sun on the coast of the Carolinas while raising her two amazing daughters, who are active in soccer and volleyball. Cristina is a firm believer that the most effective way to teach children is through our own actions, which is the driving force behind always seeking new ways to enhance personal health and well-being.

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