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Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad Jar Meal Prep

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A quick and easy 5-ingredient Caprese pasta salad layered in jars, perfect for healthy meal prep lunches that stay fresh and flavorful.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or any short pasta (tricolor rotini recommended)
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, halve 1½ cups of cherry tomatoes and roughly tear ½ cup of fresh basil leaves. Drain and pat dry 1 cup of mozzarella pearls to remove excess moisture.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine.
  4. Layer the pasta mixture into mason jars, pressing gently to pack without squishing. Leave about an inch of space at the top.
  5. Just before sealing each jar, drizzle about 1 teaspoon of balsamic glaze over the top. Alternatively, add the glaze at the moment of eating to avoid sogginess.
  6. Seal jars tightly and refrigerate. Salad keeps fresh up to 4 days.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to stop cooking and prevent gumminess. Pat mozzarella dry to avoid sogginess. Layer tomatoes and cheese on top to keep textures intact. Add balsamic glaze just before eating if prepping in advance.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caprese, pasta salad, meal prep, healthy lunch, easy recipe, mason jar salad, Italian salad

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/fresh-caprese-pasta-salad-jar-meal-prep-easy-5-ingredient-healthy-recipe/