Caprese Pasta Salad

Serves: 6–8 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes

Meet your new favorite summer side dish! This CMM Zesty Caprese Pasta Salad features a blended SPOG & Basil vinaigrette that is absolute magic. It’s bright, zesty, and 100% gluten-free. Perfect for your next BBQ or meal prep!

Ingredients:

The Salad:

• 1 box (approx. 12 oz) Gluten-Free pasta (rotini, penne, or bowties work best)
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

The Zesty SPOG Dressing:

• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons CMM SPOG Seasoning
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions:

1. Cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water immediately to keep the noodles firm and prevent sticking.
2. In a blender or small food processor, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, CMM SPOG Seasoning, fresh basil, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
3. Pulse until the dressing is well-emulsified and the basil is finely chopped. The dressing should have a beautiful, vibrant green hue.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold pasta, mozzarella balls, and halved cherry tomatoes.
5. Drizzle the blended dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure every piece of pasta is coated.
6. Serve immediately or let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Garnish with a few extra torn basil leaves before serving.