Hey Beleafers! Let's talk about something that's been on my mind lately: smoked mozzarella. You see, I have a bit of a weakness for it – especially when it's nestled in a bowl of pasta salad from Whole Foods. But with these inflation prices hitting hard I decided to roll up my sleeves and create my own version at home. So, if you're like me and can't get enough of that smoked mozzarella goodness from Whole Foods, or anywhere else, why not give this homemade version a try? I promise you won't be disappointed. Let's dive in and whip up a batch together!

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of pasta (any variety works, but fusilli or penne are great choices)

• Fresh basil leaves, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper

• 1 orange bell pepper

• Olive oil

• Black, white, and green peppercorns (to taste)

• Vine tomatoes, halved

• Smoked mozzarella cheese, cubed

• Mayonnaise

• Himalayan salt (or salt of your choice)

Instructions:

1. Boil Water and Prepare Skillet:

Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. While the water heats up, grab a skillet and drizzle it with olive oil.

2. Sauté Basil and Peppers:

Add fresh basil leaves to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, allowing the basil to infuse its flavors into the oil. Then, add sliced red and orange bell peppers to the skillet and cook until they start to soften.

3. Add Tomatoes and Season:

Once the peppers are slightly tender, toss in halved vine tomatoes and continue cooking until the peppers reach the desired level of softness. Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and a medley of black, white, and green peppercorns. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a dash of fenugreek.

4. Cook Pasta:

While the pepper mixture simmers, cook the pasta until al dente.

5. Combine Pasta and Mayo:

Drain the cooked pasta and add mayonnaise to the pasta and mix until well combined. Season the pasta with additional salt and freshly ground peppercorns to taste.

6. Add Smoked Mozzarella:

Cut smoked mozzarella cheese into bite-sized pieces and add them to the pasta. Gently toss the pasta to evenly distribute the cheese throughout.

7. Incorporate Peppers:

Once the pepper mixture has reached the desired consistency, add it to the pasta and mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

8. Chill and Serve:

Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it until chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together. Serve cold and enjoy your pasta salad!

And there you have it – Homemade Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad! I like to add the multicolor bell peppers to add some vibrant colors to the dish. If you aren’t a fan of basil, you could add spinach instead, or dill. Now ya’ll gotta invite me to your cookout this summer and share those pictures of your pasta salads! I want to see ya’ll enjoying this recipe, Bon appétit!