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.
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Caprese Pasta Salad
The flavors of this caprese pasta salad recipe are ah-mazing!!! Seriously it is so good!
My husband inhaled this salad when I served it for dinner. 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 that I can bring to any event or picnic.
We have been experiencing a ton of life lately so this salad has come in handy for a quick fresh meal.
It is crazy how life goes in cycles and some months are just downright crazy and exhausting. We have been on a roller coaster of life 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.
The time I get to spend in the kitchen is some of my favorite moments. Being able to be creative and test new recipes is pure joy.
Ingredients Needed
- Cherry Tomatoes/Grape Tomatoes
- Fresh Mozzarella Balls/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, 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!
Step 1 - Clean and slice cherry tomatoes in half.
Step 2 - Add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil into a large bowl.
Stir together until evenly coated. Let sit for 30 minutes so the flavors and juices combine.
Step 3 - Boil water and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain and rinse with cold water.
Step 4 - Add rinsed pasta to the bowl with the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine and then toss with remaining basil leaves.
For extra flavor drizzle with balsamic glaze or balsamic vinaigrette.
Recipe Tips
For a fun additional flavor, you can toss in a few spoonful's of basil pesto, add in sliced avocados, peppers, or onions.
Add in grilled chicken for additional protein.
This recipe can easily be doubled for larger events.
We store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Rinsing the pasta in cold water helps prevent the pasta from being sticky.
We cut the cherry tomatoes in half so they don't turn into cherry tomato bombs and are easier to enjoy.
Great Salad Recipes
We are working on more pasta salad recipes this summer. I can't wait to share them with you.
Here are some of our favorite salad recipes
Do you love recipes? Check out our copy cat recipes, dessert recipes, and our Crock Pot Recipes
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz Mozzarella balls
- 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 5 tbsp fresh basil cut into strips
- 2 cups small shell pasta
- Balasmic Glaze Garnish
Instructions
- Cut cherry tomatoes in half and add to a large bowl. Add in mozzarella, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, ½ of the basil, and garlic. Toss together until well coated. Let rest for 30 minutes
- Cool pasta until al dente, drain and rinse in cold water.
- Add to bowl with tomatoes and mozzarella and toss to combine.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
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