Caprese Pasta Salad

Easy Caprese Pasta Salad is the perfect salad for family dinners, barbecues, summer parties, or any day of the week—the perfect combination of cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil with pasta.

Caprese Pasta Salad

The flavors of this Caprese Pasta Salad recipe are terrific!!! Seriously, it is so good!

When I served it for dinner, my husband inhaled it. He skipped most of the rest of the meal and just kept eating this Caprese Salad.

He was raving about the taste and how it was perfect for an upcoming potluck we were heading to.

I love that it is a quick and easy side dish I can bring to any event or picnic.

We have been experiencing a lot of life lately, so this salad has come in handy for a quick, fresh meal.

It is wild how life goes in cycles, and some months are just downright crazy and exhausting. We have been on a roller coaster of life for the past few months.

I am so thankful that I can continue to share recipes with everyone and spend time in the kitchen working on new projects.

Some of my favorite moments take place in the kitchen. It is pure joy to be creative and test new recipes.

Ingredients Needed

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Caprese Pasta Salad! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
• Fresh Mozzarella Balls or Mozzarella Pearls
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Minced Garlic
• Fresh Basil Leaves
• Small Shell Pasta
• Balsamic Glaze
• Salt and Black Pepper 

Pasta - We like using small shells but you can also use rotini pasta, cavatappi, spiral, penne, fusilli, macaroni, bowtie pasta, or any other short pasta

Equipment Needed

• Large Mixing Bowl - We are big fans of this glass batter bowl that has a handle. It makes it easy to mix ingredients and keeps the mixing bowl steady on the counter.
• Large Pot - for cooking the pasta
• Serving dish

How to make Caprese Pasta Salad

I love how easy these instructions are for making this pasta salad. Quick and easy and oh so yum!

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Clean and slice the cherry tomatoes in half.

Add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil in a large bowl.

Stir together until evenly coated. Let sit for 30 minutes so the flavors and juices combine.

Boil water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Add the rinsed pasta to the bowl with the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine, and then toss with the remaining basil leaves.

For extra flavor, drizzle with balsamic glaze or balsamic vinaigrette.

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead: 

This Caprese Pasta Salad is make-ahead-friendly! We suggest leaving it in the fridge for at least half an hour to let the flavors meld together, but it is one of those cold salads that tastes better the longer it sits in your fridge.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three to four days.

Freezing/How to Freeze: We have not tried freezing this pasta salad. For the best flavor, we recommend enjoying it fresh.

 

Recipe Variations

Substitutions:

We like using small shells, but you can also use rotini, cavatappi, spiral, penne, fusilli, macaroni, or any other short pasta.

Vegetarian Option: This Italian-inspired pasta salad is 100 percent vegetarian!

Vegan Option:

Replace the mozzarella and pasta with plant-based alternatives to make this Caprese Pasta Salad vegan. Check the label on your balsamic glaze, as some brands may contain honey as a sweetener.

Gluten-Free: To make this recipe safe for a gluten-free diet, look for small shell pasta and balsamic glaze with a gluten-free label.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings:

The written recipe makes six servings and doubles easily. Adjust the slider in the recipe card for a different serving size.

Make It Spicy: Mix red pepper flakes into your Caprese Pasta Salad to spice it up.

Sugar-Free: 

The written recipe contains 2 grams of sugar per serving, but the final sugar content will depend on your ingredients. Choose a sugar-free or low-sugar balsamic glaze, as this ingredient is the most likely to contain added sugars.

 

Tips for the Best Caprese Pasta Salad

• For a fun additional flavor, toss a few spoonfuls of basil pesto or add sliced avocados, peppers, or onions. Other recipes have also added lemon juice for brightness and acidity.
• Add in grilled chicken for additional protein.
• Rinsing the pasta in cold water helps prevent the pasta from being sticky.
• We cut the cherry tomatoes in half so they don't become cherry tomato bombs and are easier to enjoy.

 

What to Serve with Caprese Pasta Salad

Serve this fresh and easy Caprese Pasta Salad with other pasta dishes and Italian-inspired sides for a comforting meal perfect for family nights! Here are some menu planning suggestions.

Sides: CrockPot Italian Wedding Soup, Pizza Monkey Bread, Homemade Pepperoni Rolls, Crock Pot Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana, Olive Garden Breadsticks, Caprese Salad

Main Dishes: Crock Pot Spinach Lasagna, Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread, Baked Rigatoni with Mini Meatballs, Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan, CrockPot Mushroom Pasta Casserole

Desserts: Copy Cat Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake, Easy Tiramisu

Drinks: Tiramisu Martini, Homemade Limoncello

When to Serve

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Potlucks
• Family Night
• Italian Night 

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