Make this fresh and easy Caprese pasta salad that is loaded with flavors! This light and delicious salad is made with tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and simple dressing.
Looking for more pasta salads? Make Mexican Street corn Pasta Salad or the viral chicken Caesar pasta salad.
CAPRESE PASTA SALAD
This fresh Caprese pasta salad is a twist on the classic Italian caprese salad. Tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and freshly chopped basil tossed in a flavor packed balsamic dressing. Make this hearty and refreshing pasta salad for all your summer picnics, BBQs, or just for a simple side dish.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Pasta– Stick with short pasta shapes for this salad. Options like elbow, rotini, penne, fusilli, farfalle, medium shells, or cavatappi all work great!
- Tomatoes– For the best results, I recommend that you use cherry tomatoes for this salad. You can also use Roma tomatoes or Campari tomatoes if that is all you have on hand.
- Mozzarella– This recipe calls for fresh mozzarella cheese! You can use either mozzarella cheese pearls or a giant ball or stick. You can just cut it into small pieces.
- Basil– Adding fresh basil to this salad is a must! It brings so many extra flavors. If you don’t like the taste of basil, you can leave it out.
- Oil– You want to use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil or any other oil you prefer.
- Balsamic Vinegar– To give this salad a kick, use balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze. I like to use both; I toss the salad in vinegar and drizzle the salad with glaze right before serving.
- Garlic– Adding fresh garlic to the dressing is must!
- Flavors– To season this salad this recipe uses salt and pepper. You can also add any other of your favorite seasonings like garlic powder or red pepper flakes, for a kick.
HOW TO MAKE CAPRESE PASTA SALAD
Have this fresh caprese pasta salad recipe in no time with just a few steps!
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Once tender, drain and rinse under cold water to cool faster. Set aside to finish cooling.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the dressing.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls in half. Finely chop the fresh basil.
- In a large salad bowl, add cooked pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.
- Drizzle the dressing over the ingredients and toss until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings to the desired taste.
- Top with additionally chopped basil and drizzled balsamic glaze and serve.
SALAD VARIATIONS
You don’t have to just limit yourself to the basic ingredients! Load this salad up with different ingredients for a heartier salad. Here are some great sides that go with this salad:
- Cucumbers
- Red Onion
- Croutons
- Bell Peppers
- Salami
- Olives
- Pepperoncini
- Pepperoni
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
Caprese salad is a simple Italian salad containing fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, seasoned with salt and tossed in olive oil.
Yes! For the best results, you will want to use cold pasta, so you will want to make the pasta ahead of time. You can cook the pasta for up to 1-2 days ahead of time. Once the pasta is drained, rinse in cold water and then toss in oil to avoid the pasta from sticking together.
Yes, you can leave out the pasta and just make a plain caprese salad.
You can make this gluten-free salad by using gluten free pasta.
This salad is great to make ahead of time! Once the salad is made, store in the fridge for 3-4 days. When enjoying it again, be sure to toss in additional oil and glaze, since the pasta will absorb the dressing as it sits.
Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
OTHER SALAD RECIPES-
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz short pasta cooked
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 12 oz mozzarella pearls or balls
- 1/3 cup fresh basil finely chopped
- balsamic glaze optional for drizzle
Dressing-
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper or to taste
- 2 fresh garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked and tender, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water. Allow the pasta to cool fully.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls in half. Finely chop the basil.
- In a large bowl, add the tender pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and chopped basil.8 oz short pasta, cooked , 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved, 12 oz mozzarella, pearls or balls, 1/3 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- Combine the ingredients for the salad dressing in a bowl.3 Tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp salt, or to taste, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, or to taste, 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- Drizzle the dressing over the ingredients and toss until well combined. (Try and adjust the seasoning to the desired taste.)
- Top with additional freshly chopped basil and drizzle the salad with balsamic glaze.balsamic glaze, optional for drizzle
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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