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+ servings
caprese pasta salad in a white serving dish
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4.87 from 45 votes

Caprese Pasta Salad

An easy Caprese Pasta Salad recipe that makes a quick bbq side dish or an appetizer for any party. Caprese Pasta Salad is made with pasta, fresh grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. It's tossed with a simple balsamic and olive oil dressing and sprinkled with salt and black pepper.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: bbq side dish, pasta salad recipe, summer salads
Servings: 8
Calories: 270kcal
Author: Kristina Tipps

Ingredients

  • 12 oz short pasta
  • 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon 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

Serves 8 as a side dish or appetizer. 
Serves 4 as a lunch or dinner.
Make ahead of time and store in the fridge overnight, with the oil, balsamic, and basil kept separate. Bring to room temperature before serving. Once mixed, it will keep for about 1 day in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 8ounces | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 341IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1mg