Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

This Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is a quick and easy side dish that is perfect for highlighting fresh, seasonal summer produce. Based on the classic caprese salad, it’s filled with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, and perfectly cooked pasta all tossed in our homemade balsamic dressing.

This pasta salad recipe tastes amazing eaten cold or at room temperature, is perfect for serving any side crowd and can even be made the night before. It’s guaranteed to be a huge hit.

Just like the classic salad, this Caprese pasta salad is an ode to fresh, ripe summer tomatoes. If you have a surplus of garden tomatoes, this pasta Caprese salad is perfect for using them up.

Email This Recipe

Get a link to this recipe emailed so you can save it for later + get all the latest Carefree Kitchen recipes!

By submitting this form you consent to receive emails from The Carefree Kitchen

Simply cook and cool your pasta, toss in your fresh basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella, then whisk together a simple balsamic dressing. Put in the fridge for a couple of hours to let the flavors become even more delicious, and bam – you’ve got a perfectly simple side dish for your next get-together.

If you love pasta salad, be sure to try our Italian Pasta Salad, Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, and our Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad.

A glass mixing bowl filled with ingredients to make this mozzarella ball pasta salad, including cooked pasta, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

Ingredients You Will Need

Pasta – the typical Caprese Salad pasta to use is spiral pasta, rotini, or fusilli capri. You could also use penne, bowtie pasta, mostaccioli or even macaroni.
Fresh Tomatoes – you can use any color or type of cherry or grape tomatoes. Typically I cut them in half so that they are easier to eat. If you can get your hands on delicious seasonal heirloom tomatoes, by all means use those instead. Just cut into bite-sized pieces.
Mozzarella Cheese – you have a few options when it comes to mozzarella cheese for pasta salad. You can cut mozzarella cheese sticks into bite-sized pieces, or cut chunks from a brick of cheese, use fresh mozzarella balls or even use shredded cheese.
Basil – fresh basil is a must in this salad.

Balsamic Dressing

Olive Oil – this recipe calls for extra virgin olive oil because it is meant to be part of the flavor of the dressing and tastes so much better.
Lemon Juice – use fresh lemon juice for this recipe, making sure to zest them first.
Shallots – shallots of a wonderfully sweet onion flavor that tastes amazing in this dressing. You could also substitute red onions.
Garlic – fresh garlic has the best flavor, but you can use the minced jarred garlic if you are in a pinch.
Lemon Zest – use the zest from the lemons that you juice.
Sugar – just a little sugar goes a long way in cutting the acidity from the vinegar in this dressing.
Salt and Pepper
Balsamic Glaze – you can purchase balsamic glaze from the store, or make your own by reducing balsamic vinegar down by about half. You want the glaze to be about the same consistency as honey, keeping in mind that it will thicken a bit as it cools.

How to Make Caprese Salad with Pasta

Cook and cool pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions, then rinse with cold water until cool.
Add the rest of the ingredients. Transfer drained and rinsed pasta to a large mixing bowl once cooled, then add the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and sliced basil leaves.
Make the balsamic dressing. To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced shallot, minced garlic, lemon zest, sugar, salt, pepper and balsamic glaze in a medium bowl.
Toss the salad. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and gently mix until everything is evenly coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Chill. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this pasta salad be made ahead of time?

Yes! I like to make the salad, but only add about ¾ of the dressing. Store overnight in the fridge, then add the rest of the dressing just before serving.

What’s the best mozzarella to use for pasta caprese salad?

Since mozzarella is one of the stars in a caprese salad, it’s best to use fresh mozzarella. I love to use small fresh mozzarella balls in this pasta salad. You don’t need to prep them at all – just drain the liquid and toss them in. You can also use larger fresh balls of mozzarella and cut them into smaller pieces. I’ve also been known to cut mozzarella cheese sticks into bite-sized pieces before.

What kind of pasta should I use in Caprese Pasta Salad?

Any short pasta with plenty of nooks and crannies will work best in this pasta salad. Most of the time I will use rotini or spiral pasta, but fusilli, farfalle, macaroni, penne or shell pasta works great too.

Storing and Make-Ahead Instructions

Refrigerator: store leftover Caprese Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Make-Ahead: this can be made ahead from 2-24 hours before serving. If you plan to make the night before, reserve about ¼ of the dressing to add just before serving.

More Of The Best Summer Salad Recipes

This easy Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is quick, easy and perfect for serving crowds of all size. It’s based on the classic caprese salad, filled with cooked pasta, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil all tossed in our homemade balsamic dressing.

Categories:

4th of July, Easy Weeknight Meals, Healthy, Nut-Free, Salads, Sides, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegetarian,

Caprese Pasta Salad