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    Home » Side Dishes » Pastas & Grains

    Published: Apr 22, 2021 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    We took some of our favorite things about summer and combined them into one easy and mouthwatering Caprese Pasta Salad.  The class combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil makes the perfect side dish for any BBQ. And the best part? You can make it in 25 minutes!

    Caprese pasta salad in a glass bowl.

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    Summer is here, and that means it is Caprese season AND pasta salad season. I’m always a sucker for a good Caprese salad.

    What better side dish could there be than combining the best of summer in one tasty Caprese Pasta Salad recipe! This mouthwatering salad filled with tomatoes from the garden, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil will be a hit every time.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Pro Tips for Making the Best Pasta Salad
    • More Easy BBQ Side Dishes
    • Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Tomatoes and mozzarella are perfect for each other, and it's no wonder that Caprese is the most popular salad in the world. When farmer's markets and home gardens are abundant with juicy ripe tomatoes, adding fresh mozzarella is all I need for a light summer meal.
    • This Caprese pasta salad recipe is simple yet flavorful, making it a great option to go with any grilled food or smoked meat.
    • It's outrageously easy to throw together plus you can make it in 25 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute summertime gatherings.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for pasta salad.

    Ingredient notes

    • Pasta - Pick your favorite shape. Just make sure it has curves or ridges to grab the dressing.
    • Tomatoes - You can chop whole tomatoes or halve grape tomatoes for this recipe.
    • Fresh basil - Fragrant and full of flavor, don’t skimp on this essential ingredient. Dried basil is not a good substitution.
    • Fresh mozzarella - You can use either the “pearls” that are readily available or buy a ball and dice it.
    • Vinaigrette - Our homemade dressing is a snap to make and perfect for this Caprese pasta salad, but feel free to swap in your favorite store-bought dressing for a quick time saver.

    Instructions

    steps 1 and 2 for caprese pasta salad.
    • Cook your pasta according to instructions on the package. Drain and rinse will cool water to chill pasta and stop the cooking process.
    • Cut cherry tomatoes in half, chop the red onion and dice mozzarella into equal sizes.
    steps 3 and 4 for pasta salad.
    • Toss pasta, dressing, tomatoes, and mozzarella in a serving bowl.
    steps 5 and 6 for pasta salad.
    • Roll basil leaves together and slice thin strips with a serrated knife to get the basil chiffonade.
    Glass bowl with pasta, basil, tomatoes and spoon.

    FAQs

    Can I use other tomatoes?


    We love the sweetness of cherry or grape tomatoes for this Caprese pasta salad. They also hold their shape better than a regular-sized tomato. But if you're lucky to get a hold of fresh garden tomatoes, you should definitely use them!

    If you are using a slicing tomato or a Roma tomato, seed it first so your salad isn't watery.

    Can I make this ahead of time?


    Yes, you can, but wait to add the fresh tomatoes and basil until right before serving to preserve the integrity of the tomato and the basil bright green.

    Can this be made gluten free?


    Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta shape and make the recipe as directed.

    How can I store leftovers?


    You can keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, the tomatoes will release their juices overtime and the basil will begin to wilt and lose its bright color. It will still taste great though!

    A bowl of Pasta with tomatoes and mozzarella.

    Pro Tips for Making the Best Pasta Salad

    Follow these tips to get perfect pasta salad every time

    1. Pasta: All good pasta salads start with pasta that is cooked and seasoned correctly. Follow the directions on the box for al dente cooking times. And don't forget to salt the water!
    2. Shapes: Pick a good pasta shape that has ribs on it so the dressing has something to cling to.
    3. Visual variety:  In this salad, I slice tomatoes in half, cube the cheese and julienne the basil.
    4. Color: People eat with their eyes first so consider having different colors in your salad. Always add fresh herbs right before serving to keep their bright green color.
    5. Seasoning: The best pasta salads are seasoned early and often. This starts with the cooking process and ends with the final toss before serving.
    6. Mixing: Use a large bowl to evenly coat all of the pasta salad ingredients with the dressing. This ensures every component of the salad is dressed properly.

    More Easy BBQ Side Dishes

    • Large bowl filled with burrata caprese salad with crostini.
      Burrata Caprese
    • chopped tomatoes in bowl with cheese.
      Fresh Cherry Tomato Salad
    • potato salad in bowl with fresh herbs,
      No Mayo Potato Salad
    • featured image for orzo salad.
      Easy Orzo and Chickpea Salad Recipe

    Check out all of our fabulous side dish recipes!

    Recipe

    Caprese pasta salad in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon on the side.

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    Garnish With Lemon
    This easy pasta salad recipe filled with fresh mozzarella, garden fresh tomatoes, basil and a homemade vinaigrette goes great with anything from the grill!
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 226 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Tomato Knife
    • Cutting Boards
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces rotini pasta
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt for pasta water
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes cut in half
    • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella diced
    • ½ cup fresh basil julienned
    • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
    • Balsamic dressing

    Dressing

    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

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    Instructions
     

    • Fill a large pot with 2 quarts of water and add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Bring to a boil, add pasta and cook al dente according to package directions.
    • While pasta is cooking combine all ingredients for dressing in a mason jar and shake vigorously to combine. Set aside.
    • Drain and rinse pasta with cold water.
    • In a large mixing bowl add pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella and Balsamic dressing and stir until well coated with dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add fresh basil, stir and serve.

    Notes

    Be sure to season the pasta water with salt . It adds a ton of flavor to the pasta. 
    Make sure to rinse the pasta with COLD water. This stops the cooking process and prevents gummy noodles.
    Use whatever shape of pasta you prefer. One with ridges will catch the dressing more than a smooth noodle.
    This Balsamic Dressing is a workhorse in my kitchen. It can be made ahead of time and stored in refrigerator until ready to use and it's great on any green salad.
    Make this pasta salad a main course by adding some grilled chicken or shrimp kabobs!

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 226kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 7gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 867mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!

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    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

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