Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipes

PASTA SALAD WITH TOMATOES, MOZZARELLA, AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Using the side of a chef's knife, mash garlic with 1 teaspoon salt into a paste. Transfer to a small bowl; whisk in lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, and oil. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. In a fine-mesh sieve, toss tomatoes with 1 teaspoon salt; let stand 15 minutes to drain.
• Cook pasta in generously salted water according to package directions until cooked all the way through. Drain (but don't rinse, which would waterlog the noodles), then spread on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with half of vinaigrette. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss fennel, capers and brine, chickpeas, mozzarella, and salted tomatoes with remaining vinaigrette. Add pasta; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate up to a day ahead; let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving. (Cold pasta salad is too firm and less flavorful.) Toss with Parmigiano-Reggiano and parsley; serve.

TOMATO MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Whisk in oil until well blended. Add remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon to a serving dish.

TOMATO & MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients; set aside.
• Cook pasta, rinse with cold water and drain.
• In large bowl gently toss together pasta and vegetables.
• Pour dressing over and toss gently.
• Cover, refrigerate 1 hour to blend flavors.

PENNE, TOMATO, AND MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water as directed on package, until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a small saucepan. Add green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 or 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Add pasta, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat to warm through. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Coarsely tear basil leaves in halves or thirds; add to pasta with olives, and serve immediately.

TOMATO, BASIL AND MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until it is done, but still a little firm to the bite. Drain and rinse with cold water until the pasta is completely cool. Let it drain for a few minutes and transfer to a large bowl. Add the mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, scallions, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste, adding more vinegar if desired. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• *NOTE: To peel plum tomatoes:
• Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Have ready a bowl of ice water. Cut an "X" in the bottom of the tomato and remove the stem. Place in the boiling water for 10 or 15 seconds -- no longer. Use a slotted spoon to quickly transfer to the ice water. The skin should simply slip off.