During the holiday season, I am ALL about easy meals. Based on the results of our recent Instagram poll, I'm betting you are too! This Gluten Free Roasted Caprese Pasta Salad comes together in about the time it takes for pasta to boil. It is packed full of incredible flavor and is sure to balance out some of those cookies you've been noshing on.
{{ The recipe and post for this was Gluten Free Roasted Caprese Pasta Salad made in partnership with Explore Cuisine. We received product and compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. If we don’t love it, you don’t hear about it. Thanks for your continued support! }}
This Caprese Pasta Salad is perfect for those hectic days.
Look, I love the holidays. But between our day to day responsibilities and all of the hustle and bustle of the season, I am whooped by the time it comes to preparing dinner. If it weren't for a handful of trusty, fast, and easy recipes like this one, we would probably be hitting up the drive thru line more often than I care to admit.
Just because this meal is FAST doesn't mean it isn't healthy!
Lentil pasta gives this Caprese Pasta Salad extra nutrition without sacrificing flavor.
This warm pasta salad is super convenient for those nights I need to get dinner on the table FAST. However, the best part is that it is also filled with quality, nutritious ingredients. This makes me feel great about the meal I'm putting on the table for my family. Take the gorgeous red and green Explore Cuisine Organic Pasta for example; this pasta is packed with protein and fiber thanks to green and red lentils. It’s organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, and, most importantly, it tastes like and has the mouth feel of traditional pasta! Seriously, even our super picky 7 year old can't get enough of this pasta!
Looking for more weeknight warrior recipes that taste great, cook up fast, and are good for you to add to your arsenal? I've got you covered!
Sheet Pan Cashew Cauliflower
Shawarma Spiced Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
Mexican Street Corn Nachos
Easy One Pan Taco Bake
Sheet Pan Fried Rice
Oven Baked OR Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
One Pot Lemon Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta
If you’ve tried this Gluten Free Roasted Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe, I would be so grateful if you would rate it. Let me know what you think in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
Gluten Free Roasted Caprese Pasta Salad
While we love these quick roasted tomatoes and mozzarella balls tossed with Explore Cuisine Organic Pasta, we also love topping gluten free crostini with them for delicious holiday worthy appetizers and gluten free English muffins for epic savory breakfast toasts!
Don’t forget to rate the recipe, and let me know what you think about this Gluten Free Roasted Caprese Salad in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: stove top and roasted
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
For the quick roasted tomatoes
2 cups (10-ounces) mini San Marzano tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
3 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup olive oil
For the pasta
1 box Explore Cuisine Organic Red or Green Lentil Pasta*
⅓ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup small fresh mozzarella balls, halved
1 bunch basil leaves, sliced into ribbons or torn
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450°F and heat a large pot of salted water to a boil.
While the water is boiling, prep the tomatoes; arrange the tomato halves, cut side up in an even layer in a baking dish. Sprinkle the crushed oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper evenly over the top of the tomatoes then drizzle with the olive oil. Roast in the oven for 10-11 minutes until the tomatoes have released their juices and are starting to shrivel.
While the tomatoes are roasting cook the pasta; add 1 box of pasta to boiling, salted water and cook for 8 - 9 minutes until al dente. While the pasta is cooking making the vinaigrette. In a large bowl whisk the ⅓ cup olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, and black pepper together. When the pasta is cooked through drain the cooking water, rinse lightly with cool water and add to the bowl with the vinaigrette. Toss to coat.
To serve; fill individual bowls with the pasta and top each with ¼ of the roasted tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil. Drizzle the pasta bowls with the pan juices from the roasted tomatoes, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
- To make this Gluten Free Roasted Caprese Pasta Salad super festive for the holidays use ½ a box Explore Cuisine Organic Green Lentil Pasta and ½ a box Explore Cuisine Organic Red Lentil Pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 5.4 g
- Sodium: 1102.6 mg
- Fat: 33.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Protein: 13.5 g
- Cholesterol: 5.1 mg
Keywords: pasta, gluten free, caprese
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What are the health benefits of lentils?
Lentils are full of plant-based protein and fiber along with a number of essential nutrients, especially Vitamin B. Lentils help promote gut health and lower risks of heart disease and diabetes.
Click here for more information on the health benefits of lentils.
