Pasta salad recipes are all about freshness, flavor combinations, and vivid colors. In this easy pasta salad recipe, we use ingredients that are imported from Italy like fresh mozzarella cheese, black olives, extra virgin olive oil and also give lots of options for additions you can make depending on what you and your family love.
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook for 2 minutes less than the cooking time indicated on the package instructions for al dente.
Drain the pasta into a colander, run cold water over it and then coat it with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, toss, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside to let cool completely.
In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the vinaigrette and whisk together. Adjust the salt if necessary and set aside.
In a very large bowl, mix the fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, olives and basil. Then add the Italian dressing and cover with plastic wrap. Leave to marinate for 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
Before serving, remove from the refrigerator for 1 hour to bring to room temperature. Toss all of the ingredients again and serve.