This Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad is fresh, flavorful, and perfect for spring and summer! Made with juicy strawberries, tender pasta, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella and crisp cucumbers all tossed in a lightly sweet balsamic dressing.
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If you’re looking for a pasta salad that is anything but boring, this Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad is it. The perfect mix of sweet, savory, creamy and crunchy! Loaded with juicy strawberries, tender pasta, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and crisp cucumbers all tossed in a sweet balsamic dressing. Every bite is fresh, bright and so flavorful!
Why You’ll Love This
Fresh and flavorful – the combination of sweet strawberries and tangy balsamic dressing creates a flavor that’s bright, balances and totally addictive!
Quick and easy – this whole pasta salad easily comes together in about 15 minutes making it perfect for busy days when you still want something fresh and satisfying.
Lightened-up – unlike traditional pasta salads, this one skips the heavy, mayo-based dressing and uses a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette which really lets the ingredients shine.
Customizable – you can easily make this to your liking whether you need to adjust it based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
strawberries – the star of this recipe! Sweet, juicy and perfect for pairing with the balsamic dressy.
pasta – for this recipe I used fusilli noodles, but feel free to use any type of corkscrew pasta such as cavatappi or rotini. The nooks in the pasta really grab hold of the dressing nicely! You could also use farfalle, penne pasta or a gluten-free option.
arugula – adds a boost of nutrition to this pasta salad and balances out the sweetness of the strawberries. I used fresh arugula, but feel free to use baby spinach or other type of lettuce.
cucumbers – I used 3 mini cucumbers which add a fresh, crisp bite to this pasta salad and great texture.
mozzarella pearls – the perfect bite-sized addition to this salad that adds creaminess and flavor to this pasta salad.
almonds – adds a delicious crunch and nutty flavor to this salad. Toasting really brings out their richness so don’t skip this step! Walnuts make a great option as well.
shallot – adds a slightly sweet, mild onion flavor to this pasta salad without being overpowering.
fresh basil – fresh herbs add a pop of color and pairs perfectly with the balsamic dressing. I used basil leaves, but fresh mint would be a great addition as well!
balsamic dressing – a combination of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper.
How to Make Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad
Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside to cool.
Toast the almonds. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the slivered almonds for 2 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
Make the dressing. In a small bowl or jar with a tight fitted lid, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper until fully combined.
Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta along with the strawberries, arugula, mozzarella pearls, sliced shallot, cucumbers, toasted almonds and fresh basil.
Toss and serve. Drizzle the balsamic dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad
Salt the pasta water generously – this is important to add flavor to the pasta salad, don’t skip this set!
Cook pasta just to al dente – overcooked pasta can get mushy once tossed with the dressing.
Cool the pasta completely – if the pasta is warm it can wilt the greens and make everything else soggy. I like to run it under cold water after draining.
Use fresh, ripe strawberries – they sweeter they are, the better the flavor of the whole salad.
Don’t skip toasting the almonds – the toasted almonds add a huge flavor boost and crunch to this pasta salad.
Add delicate ingredients last – toss the pasta salad gently to keep strawberries and mozzarella intact.
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before serving – this helps the flavors melt together beautifully.
Variations
Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
Swap mozzarella for creamy goat cheese or feta cheese.
Add quinoa or farro for a heartier salad.
Use this poppy seed dressing or this maple balsamic vinaigrette for a different flavor.
Toss in spinach or other leafy greens instead of arugula.
Add avocado slices for creaminess.
Prepping and Storage
To Prep – you can easily cook the pasta and make the dressing ahead of time. You can also chop all the ingredients and store separately until ready to assemble.
To Store – leftovers will last in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better after a few hours marinating!
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Hope you all enjoy this Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad! If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!
Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar2 Tbsp honey2 tsp Dijon mustard1/2 tsp each salt + pepper