Balsamic Pasta Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this Balsamic Pasta Salad is a must-try dish for any occasion. Featuring tender penne pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet red bell pepper, and tangy red onion, this recipe delivers a colorful medley of textures and tastes. Tossed with creamy mozzarella pearls, fragrant fresh basil, and a beautifully balanced homemade balsamic vinaigrette, every bite is a flavor-packed delight. Perfect as a light lunch, a side dish for barbecues, or a crowd-pleasing potluck addition, this pasta salad comes together in just 30 minutes and can be served chilled or at room temperature. Easy to make yet irresistibly flavorful, this is your go-to recipe for a quick, healthy, and satisfying dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Penne pasta
• 250 grams Cherry tomatoes
• 1 large Cucumber
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium Red onion
• 10 grams Fresh basil leaves
• 200 grams Mozzarella pearls
• 4 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
• 6 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, chop the red bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil leaves (tear the basil leaves for added flavor).

Step 5

Pour the balsamic dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Step 7

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1625.2 grams (1625.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2990

Total Fat 129.40g	166%
Saturated Fat 34.80g	174%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.10g
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 3595mg	156%
Total Carbohydrate 366.60g	133%
Dietary Fiber 23.70g	85%
Total Sugars 54.10g
Protein 93.40g	187%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 881mg	68%
Iron 19mg	106%
Potassium 2680mg	57%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.8%

Protein: 12.4%

Carbs: 48.8%