Lemon Basil Vegetable Pasta Salad in a Jar with six layers of flavors including pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, red onion, zucchini and squash and a fresh lemon basil dressing!
1small summer squashchopped into bite-sized pieces
2cupscooked bowtie pasta
1 1/2cupsmixed cherry tomatoeshalved
1cupmozzarella balls
2/3cupchopped red onion
fresh basilfor garnish
Instructions
To make the dressing:
Combine the basil, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until well blended; set aside.
To make the salad:
In a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the zucchini and squash and cook until tender and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl, combine the pasta and two tablespoons dressing. Stir to combine.
Divide the dressing between four standard sized mason jars. Layer the remaining ingredients in the mason jars, starting with the pasta on the bottom, tomatoes, mozzarella and onion in the middle and the cooked zucchini and summer squash mixture on top. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. To serve, pour the contents of jar into a bowl and mix to combine. You can also seal jar and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.