Caprese pasta salad

Indulge in the fresh flavors of Caprese pasta salad - a delightful fusion of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and al dente pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups Fresh Mozzarella Bocconcini
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (Quartered)
• 1/3 cup Your Favorite Italian Dressing
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 4 Cloves of Garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flake
• 450g Whole Wheat Bowtie Pasta
• 3 tablespoons Fresh Basil

Instructions:

1. Mix together the mozzarella and cherry tomatoes with the Italian dressing. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator. When preparing this for a meal, I typically refrigerate the cheese and tomatoes a couple of hours in advance before assembling the salad.
2. Heat the olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper in a pan over low heat. Let it cook gently for 5-10 minutes, allowing the garlic to soften (without browning) and infuse the oil.
3. While this is cooking, cook the pasta in boiling water. Add the drained pasta to the pan and mix it well in the oil. Allow the pasta mixture to cool down.
4. After the pasta has cooled down, combine it with the cheese, tomatoes, and the marinade from the dressing. Season the salad with salt and pepper, then garnish with 3 tablespoons of fresh basil.

Summary:

• Calories: 2943 kcal
• Fat: 121 g
• Protein: 99 g
• Carbs: 362 g
• Potassium: 1671 mg
• Magnesium: 304 mg