Italian Caprese Pasta Salad

 "Ingredients:

- 8 ounces of pasta (farfalle or penne)

- 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved

- 1 cup of fresh mozzarella balls, halved

- 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves, torn

- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

- 2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze

- Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves.

3. Drizzle over the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze. Toss the ingredients until everything is well coated.

4. Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper to taste. Toss once more to evenly distribute the seasoning.

5. Let the pasta salad rest for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. You can also refrigerate the pasta salad and serve it chilled.

Cooking Time: It takes approximately 25 minutes to make this salad, including preparation and cooking time.

Nutrition Information: Per serving, this salad contains approximately 368 calories, 16 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein, and 43 grams of carbohydrates. It also provides about 15% of the daily recommended intake of dietary fiber and about 18% of the daily recommended intake of calcium.

Note: Nutritional values can vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Always consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist if specific dietary requirements or restrictions are necessary."