Caprese spaghetti pasta salad

I was thinking about making a light summer salad and saw a caprese salad made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. I decided to combine tomatoes and cheese with spaghetti to make a vegetarian pasta salad.

The juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil made a great accompaniment for the spaghetti in this quick and easy dinner. You can serve it when it’s made or later at room temperature.

HELPFUL HINTS

Chopped walnuts or almonds can be used instead of pistachio nuts.

COUNTDOWN

Place water for spaghetti on to boil.

Prepare all ingredients.

Boil pasta.

Cook the remaining ingredients.

SHOPPING LIST

To buy: 4 tomatoes, 1 bunch fresh basil, 1 bottle dried oregano, 1 package whole wheat spaghetti (4 ounce needed), 1 container mozzarella cheese (6 ounces needed), 1 container shelled pistachio nuts and 1 bottle balsamic vinegar.

Staples: olive oil, onion, garlic, salt and black peppercorns.

Caprese Spaghetti Pasta Salad

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

4 ounces whole wheat spaghetti

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1/2 cup sliced onion

4 crushed garlic cloves

3 teaspoons olive oil, divided use

4 cups fresh tomato cubes, about 1/2 to 1-inch pieces

6 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into 1/2 to 1-inch pieces

1 cup fresh basil torn into bite-size pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup pistachio nuts

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spaghetti, stir and boil 8 minutes or according to your package instructions. Drain. Meanwhile heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oregano, onion and garlic. Saute 2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and cook until they give off their juice, about 5 minutes. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well. Add the basil, cheese, pistachios and salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat.

Mix the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil and balsamic vinegar together. Add to the skillet and toss well with all the ingredients. Divide between two dinner plates.

Tribune News Service