Pasta Salad with Strawberries and Balsamic Vinaigrette

This Pasta Salad with Strawberry Balsamic is vibrant, tasty, and ideal for spring and summer! Crafted with succulent strawberries, soft pasta, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and crunchy cucumbers, all coated in a lightly sweet balsamic dressing.

If you’re in search of a pasta salad that’s anything but ordinary, this Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad is the answer. A delightful blend of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy flavors! Packed with juicy strawberries, soft pasta, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and crunchy cucumbers, all mixed in a sweet balsamic dressing. Every mouthful is fresh, vibrant, and remarkably flavorful!

Why You’ll Adore This

• Fresh and Tasty – the mix of sweet strawberries and tangy balsamic dressing creates a flavor that’s bright, balanced, and completely irresistible!
• Quick and Simple – this entire pasta salad comes together in about 15 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic days when you want something fresh and fulfilling.
• Lightened-up – unlike classic pasta salads, this recipe avoids heavy, mayo-based dressings and uses a straightforward homemade balsamic vinaigrette that allows the ingredients to shine.
• Customizable – you can easily tweak this dish to your preference, whether adjusting based on your available ingredients or dietary needs.

Ingredients You Will Require

• strawberries – the star of this dish! Sweet, juicy, and perfect to complement the balsamic dressing.
• pasta – for this dish, I used fusilli, but feel free to choose any corkscrew pasta like cavatappi or rotini. The nooks in the pasta hold the dressing nicely! You can also opt for farfalle, penne, or a gluten-free variety.
• arugula – provides a nutritional boost and balances the sweetness of the strawberries. I used fresh arugula, but baby spinach or another leafy green works well too.
• cucumbers – I chose 3 mini cucumbers that contribute a refreshing, crunchy texture to this pasta salad.
• mozzarella pearls – a delightful bite-sized addition that adds creaminess and flavor to this salad.
• almonds – give a nice crunch and nutty flavor to this dish. Toasting enhances their richness, so don’t skip this step! Walnuts are also a great alternative.
• shallot – contributes a subtly sweet, mild onion flavor without overwhelming the salad.
• fresh basil – fresh herbs add a splash of color and pair beautifully with the balsamic dressing. I used basil leaves, but fresh mint would also work wonderfully!
• balsamic dressing – a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.

Steps to Prepare Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad

1. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta following the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and allow to cool.
2. Toast the almonds. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds for 2 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden and aromatic. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
4. 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.
5. 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 Perfect Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad

• Generously salt the pasta water – this is key to infusing flavor into the pasta salad, don’t skip this step!
• Cook pasta just until al dente – overcooked pasta can become mushy once combined with the dressing.
• Completely cool the pasta – if the pasta is warm, it can wilt the greens and make everything else soggy. I recommend running it under cold water after draining.
• Use fresh, ripe strawberries – the sweeter they are, the better the entire salad’s flavor.
• Don’t skip toasting the almonds – toasted almonds provide a significant flavor boost and crunch to this pasta salad.
• Add delicate ingredients last – gently toss the pasta salad to keep the strawberries and mozzarella intact.
• Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving – this allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Variations

• Add grilled chicken for added protein.
• Replace mozzarella with creamy goat cheese or feta cheese.
• Include quinoa or farro for a heartier salad.
• Use this poppy seed dressing or this maple balsamic vinaigrette for a unique flavor twist.
• Incorporate spinach or other greens instead of arugula.
• Add avocado slices for extra creaminess.

Additional Pasta Salads

I hope everyone loves this Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad! If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, kindly leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!