Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil and Ham Pasta Salad in a Mason Jar

Pasta salad is one of our favorite, easy lunches. The complex carbs give us energy for the day, and pairing it with fresh veggies and protein makes for a super-balanced meal. But it’s often so hard to transport. Until… drum roll please… this recipe. If you’re anything like us, you’ll leave your clunky tupperware at home and grab your hipster glasses because this mason jar salad is the only lunch you’re ever gonna need. It’s light, fresh, and healthy. Plus, the mason jar makes it easy to control your portions. Win-win.

Italian Pasta Salad in a Mason Jar

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 10 minutesTotal time: 15 minutesServings:6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cup elbow pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 5 leaves basil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup cooked ham, sliced

Instructions

1. 
   

   Bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta.

   #SpoonTip: Cook the pasta one minute less than what the package suggests to make it perfectly al dente.

2. 
   

   Chop the other ingredients.

3. 
   

   Toss all the ingredients into a mason jar with the oil and balsamic vinegar.

4. 
   

   Shake that thing and serve.