This simple yet flavorful Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is a great summer side dish for cookouts, picnics and dinners. While I love this salad all year long, it's really the best when tomatoes are in season during the spring and summer months. This salad is one of the most requested at my family cookouts, next to my 15-minute cucumber tomato salad.
Caprese pasta salad is made with only 6 ingredients and is ready to serve in a quick 15 minutes. As minimal in ingredients and preparation time as it is, it's absolutely delicious. It looks bold and bright and tastes crisp and robust!
Can You Make Caprese Pasta Salad Ahead of Time?
If you'd like to make it ahead of time, mix the tomatoes, cheese, and pasta together but leave the basil, oil and vinegar separate and add when ready to serve. Caprese pasta salad is best served within a few hours of making. The balsamic vinegar penetrates the pasta and cheese the longer it sits which can cause both to become very soft.
What To Serve with Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese pasta salad pairs well with a simple grilled chicken or fish. Serve it along with hamburgers, turkey burgers, or lamb burgers, too.
Ingredients
- Grape tomatoes: or use roasted tomatoes for even more flavor.
- Pasta: I use bowties, but any short pasta works.
- Mozzarella pearls: or dice a block of fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Kristina's tip
Make A Traditional Version
For a more traditional version of caprese, leave out the balsamic vinegar and only use olive oil, salt and pepper as the dressing.
How To Make Caprese Pasta Salad
- Boil the pasta in salted water for the time indicated on package. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl.
- While pasta cooks, slice the tomatoes in half and saute for 5 minutes in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, until soft. Skip this step if you prefer uncooked tomatoes.
- Add tomatoes and mozzarella to serving dish with pasta. Toss with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and torn basil.
How To Store
Store in the fridge for 1 or 2 days.
Recipe
Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta
- 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar optional
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves torn
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water for the time indicated on package. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl.
- While pasta cooks, slice the tomatoes in half and saute for 5 minutes in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, until soft. Skip this step if you prefer uncooked tomatoes.
- Add tomatoes and mozzarella to serving dish with pasta. Toss with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and torn basil.
Notes
Nutrition
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