This Caprese Pasta Salad combines pasta, sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and garden fresh basil all drizzled with an easy five ingredient balsamic vinaigrette. Summer is the ideal time for cold pasta salads with garden fresh vegetables and herbs. I love to serve this pasta salad with grilled chicken, pork, or shrimp. Or serve it for lunch or a light supper during the hot summer months. It is ideal for potlucks, picnics, and family reunions
How to make Caprese Pasta Salad
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook your pasta al dente according to the package directions and well. Rinse with a little water to stop the cooking process and drain well. Add the pasta to a serving bowl and toss with a little bit of olive oil. Let it cool while you make the dressing.
In a small mason jar with a tight fitting lid or a small bowl mix together the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, and garlic. Add the mozzarella balls, grape tomatoes, and basil to the bowl with the cooled pasta. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat. If desired sprinkle with a little red pepper flakes to taste.
Recipe Tips
- Any short pasta will work with this recipe including penne, farfalle, cavatappi, gemelli, or rotini pasta.
- Cook the pasta slightly al dente which is just a little firm when bitten. Drain well and toss with a little bit of olive oil.
- For ease in mixing the caprese salad dressing add the contents to a small mason jar. Thread the lid on tight and shake to coat.
- You can prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. Add a splash of white balsamic vinegar right before serving and toss again. Cover and store this pasta salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to cut basil ribbons
To start gently wash and thoroughly dry the fresh basil leaves. Basil does not have to be dry to cut it into ribbons but it is much easier to sprinkle on the top of a dish when it is dry. Then simply stack the leaves on top of each other and gently roll them into a cylinder. Using a sharp knife slice them extra thin. Slice and add basil ribbons right before serving when they are at their peak.
Other Pasta Salads to try!
Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. short pasta like rotini penne, or cavatappi
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 clove garlic crushed
- 16 ounces mozzarella balls
- 4 cups grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- ½ cup basil cut in ribbons
- Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions and drain. Rinse with a little cold water to stop the cooking process and drain well. Add the pasta to a large serving bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Let it cool to room temperature.
- In a small mason jar with a tight fitting lid add the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic. Shake well to combine.
- Add the mozzarella balls, grape tomatoes, and basil to the bowl with the cooled pasta. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
- If desired sprinkle with a little red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Any short pasta will work with this recipe including penne, farfalle, cavatappi, gemelli, or rotini pasta.
- Cook the pasta slightly al dente which is just a little firm when bitten. Drain well and toss with a little bit of olive oil.
- For ease in mixing the caprese salad dressing add the contents to a small mason jar. Thread the lid on tight and shake to coat.
- You can prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. Add a splash of white balsamic vinegar right before serving and toss again. Cover and store this pasta salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Rosey
This kind of salad is my favorite for summer dinners. It sits well no matter how hot outside it gets.
Roman Mosaic Art
omg I had salad Caprese some time back, it was delicious!!! I never had caprese pasta salad, I am doing your recipe for sure, thank you so much…
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Rhian Westbury
I love this pasta salad. It is so refreshing during these hot summer months.
Natasha Mairs
We love pasta in our house and this recipe looks perfect for summer time
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!
Stephanie
I love caprese and really anything with fresh mozzrella. This is a perfect summer dish!
Kushigalu
How colorful and delicious is this pasta salad. One of my favorites. YUM!
Claudia Lamascolo
This looks so light and fresh the perfect summer lunch or brunch meal we love Caprese and salad is a great alternative!!
Tayler Ross
I love caprese salads, so this pasta salad is right up my alley! Definitely making for a bbq this weekend!
Kali Alexandria
The recipe of the summer! Thank you!
Catalina
I will make this pasta salad. next weekend! I love this salad for our bbq parties!
Gloria
All the great flavours in a salad. A nice change from mayonnaise-based recipes. Perfect for bbq parties this summer.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Gloria!
Erin
This was incredibly delicious! My whole family loved this! It was perfect for the hot weather we are having this summer.