Caprese Pizza Pasta Salad

Recipe by From a Chef's Kitchen

Caprese Pizza Pasta Salad is a cool and easy way to enjoy all the elements of pizza during summer without turning on your oven!

Ingredients

• salad
• salt
• 8 ounces whole grain penne pasta ( or other similar-sized pasta )
• 2 tablespoons olive oil ((divided))
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 8 ounces fresh marinated mozzarella balls (quartered)
• 2 ounces pork or turkey pepperoni ((about 1 cup) sliced)
• ½ cup red onion
• ½ cup thinly sliced fresh basil
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• dressing
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 juice of large lemon
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Method

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook to the al dente stage. Drain, cool under cold running water, drain and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add remaining salad ingredients.
3. DRESSING
4. Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning and acidity as desired.
5. Pour over salad and serve immediately.

View the recipe instructions at From a Chef's Kitchen