Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad is one of those recipes you’ll want to make on repeat all summer long. It’s fresh, fast, and packed with simple ingredients that just work! Perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or an easy lunch at home!
Are you looking for more summer dishes? Try our BLT Pasta Salad, Southern Potato Salad, or our very popular Baked Beans with Ground Beef.
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This really is the best Caprese Pasta Salad! It’s a simple recipe that brings all your favorite salad ingredients together into one delicious dish! With tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, and aromatic basil tossed with a simple dressing and rotini pasta, it has all the bright flavor of a traditional caprese salad.
A drizzle of balsamic dressing ties it together, making this the perfect dish for meal prep, potlucks, or even a quick weeknight meal
What you’ll love about this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe:
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing caprese noodle salad:
- Rotini pasta- use any short pasta shape.
- Grape tomatoes- you can use a fresh cherry tomatoes instead.
- Fresh mozzarella pearls
- Fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
- Italian seasoning
- Salt- use kosher or regular.
- Black pepper
- Additional balsamic glaze (optional)
INGREDIENT NOTES:
- Short Pasta Shape: Rotini works great here, but bowtie pasta or even barilla legume pasta can be used.
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: Use little mozzarella balls or chop larger pieces into small pieces.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A quality oil enhances the simple dressing beautifully.
- Balsamic Glaze: For best flavor, don’t swap this for white balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar.
HOW TO MAKE CAPRESE SALAD STEP-BY-STEP:
Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.
STEP 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
STEP 2: In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta, halved grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped basil.
STEP 3: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
STEP 4: Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and give it a good stir to coat.
STEP 5: Add a spoonful of balsamic glaze and toss again.
STEP 6: Serve immediately or refrigerate under plastic wrap until ready.
NOTE: This recipe uses balsamic glaze, not balsamic vinegar. Balsamic glaze is thicker, sweeter, and less tangy than balsamic vinegar, which would alter the flavor of the salad if substituted.
PRO TIP:
Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving, this wakes up the flavor of the fresh ingredients and makes it taste like a good caprese salad should.
Storage and Reheating
Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 3 days.
Reheating: No reheating needed—just let it sit out a little bit to take the chill off.
Freezing: Not recommended due to the delicate texture of fresh mozzarella cheese.
Additions & Substitutions
ADDITIONS:
- Sun-dried tomatoes for extra tang.
- Red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Grilled chicken to turn it into a hearty main dish.
- Add a bit of fresh garlic to add some depth.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Pasta: Rotini works great here, but bowtie pasta or even barilla legume pasta can be used.
- Mozzarella: Swap with shredded mozzarella if needed.
FAQs about this Caprese Pasta:
What Can I Serve with this Caprese Salad Pasta Salad?
This chilled pasta salad is a great side dish for my Bone-In Pork Chops, Shredded BBQ Chicken, or Loose Meat Sandwiches. It also makes a great side for sandwiches, wraps, or garlic bread at the dinner table.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
I’m excited for you to try this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe! After you make it, please leave a rating to let me know your thoughts on it – I’m eager to hear if you loved it as much as we do!
Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Additional balsamic glaze for drizzling optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and let cool. 12 ounces rotini pasta
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil. 2 cups grape tomatoes,8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls,1/2 cup fresh basil leaves.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. 1/3 cup olive oil,1 teaspoon Italian seasoning,1 teaspoon salt,1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of balsamic glaze to the salad and toss again to incorporate. 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- If desired, drizzle additional balsamic glaze over the top for extra flavor and presentation. Additional balsamic glaze for drizzling
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
De Nigris Glaze Original with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Great!!!