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Fresh Bento Box Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Pesto Dressing

Fresh Bento Box Caprese Pasta Salad - featured image
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A vibrant and portable Caprese pasta salad featuring cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, and a homemade pesto dressing. Perfect for quick lunches or light dinners with fresh, bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces small pasta shapes (rotini, penne, or bow tie/farfalle)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls (mini bocconcini or bite-size pieces)
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
  • For the pesto dressing:
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves (packed)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted lightly
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: handful of baby spinach or arugula, splash of balsamic glaze

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
  3. Toast 1/4 cup pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. In a food processor, combine 1 cup fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Pulse to blend, then slowly stream in 1/2 cup olive oil until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, 8 ounces mozzarella pearls, and halved cherry tomatoes. Add about 3/4 cup pesto dressing and toss gently to coat evenly. Add more pesto if desired.
  6. Stir in torn fresh basil leaves.
  7. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld. For bento boxes, pack with extra pesto on the side.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad too early to avoid mushy pasta. Toast pine nuts for richer flavor. Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent sticking. Adjust pesto consistency with water or olive oil if too thick. Add pesto just before serving or packing for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese pasta salad, pesto dressing, bento box lunch, easy pasta salad, fresh basil, mozzarella pearls, cherry tomatoes, homemade pesto

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/fresh-bento-box-caprese-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-pesto-dressing/