Summer Time Side Salad|Orecchiette Caprese
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: cook top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup Italian dressing, purchased or make your own
1/4 teaspoon honey or sugar, optional
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup perle mozzarella balls
6–8 cherry tomatoes, halved
red onion slices, as per taste and size
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon each fresh basil, parsley, chives, diced
6 –8 ounces dried orecchiette or small pasta of choice
dash sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- In small skillet with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, toast chopped walnuts until lightly browned. Set aside.
- In small mixing bowl add dressing, sugar, garlic, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, onion, basil, parley, and chives, allow to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package. Drain liquid and add to dressing marinade. Toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with sea salt, and pepper before serving.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Salad travels well for picnics.
- Serve as side salad for grilling.