Caprese Sausage Pasta Salad

 

1

box (7.6 oz) Betty Crocker® Suddenly Salad® basil pesto pasta salad mix

1/4

cup pine nuts

1/3

cup cold water

3

tablespoons olive oil

1

cup cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half

1

cup bocconcini (small fresh mozzarella cheese balls) (7 oz), cut into bite-size pieces

4

precooked smoked Italian sausage links, thinly sliced (about 10 oz)

2

tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

• 1 Fill 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of water; heat to boiling. Add Pasta. Gently boil, uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain well.
• 2 Meanwhile, to toast pine nuts, place in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly until nuts are light brown.
• 3 In large bowl, combine Seasoning mix from packet, cold water and oil. Stir in tomatoes, cheese and sausage. Stir in cooked pasta until well mixed.
• 4 Cover; refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled. Garnish with pine nuts and basil.