Strawberry Caprese Salad

Pasta Salad can be boring and tasteless If not made with fresh ingredients and seasoned properly. Always popular, this salad tastes great and says spring is here! My secret for fresh tasting pasta salad is to dress it right before you plan to serve it. I used the campanelle  (Italian for bells) shaped pasta because it’s what I had in the cabinet, but any medium  shaped pasta like penne, shells or bowtie pasta will work just fine. Try this recipe the next time it’s your turn to bring a salad for your next pot luck. You will impress and you will have people asking for the recipe, I promise!

Strawberry Caprese Salad

Ingredients:
1 Pound cooked pasta (aprox 1/3-1/2 pound raw)
½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
1 Pint fresh strawberries, sliced
1 Pint small Mozzarella cheese balls
3 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Place cooled cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl.
2. In a small bowl whisk olive oil and vinegar
3. Mix cheese balls and strawberries with pasta, add dressing and fresh basil.
4. Adjust salt and pepper.