Caprese Pasta Salad with Salami

Name: Caprese Pasta Salad with Salami
Yield: 8

Bring life to this simple summer pasta salad with the fresh, rich flavors of basil, tomato, salami and mozzarella.

Bring life to this simple summer salad with the fresh, rich flavors of basil, tomato and mozzarella. A blend of spiral and shell pasta mixes with a flavorful homemade balsamic vinaigrette, fragrant basil, creamy mozzarella, spicy salami slices and fresh tomatoes.

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
1 cup balsamic vinegar
5 tbsp Dijon mustard
5 tbsp honey
4 small shallots, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
PASTA SALAD
8 oz large fusilli pasta
5 oz large shell pasta
4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
8 oz Genoa salami, sliced
½ cup loosely packed basil leaves
8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

For vinaigrette, in a medium bowl whisk together vinegar, mustard, honey, shallots, garlic, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
For pasta salad, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water; drain thoroughly. In a large bowl toss pasta with half of the vinaigrette. Transfer to a serving bowl; cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
To serve, gently stir in tomatoes, salami and basil. Drizzle with vinaigrette, reserving some to serve on the side. Top with mozzarella and sprinkle with black pepper.