• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Carefree Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
    • All Recipes
    • Appetizers
      • Cheese
      • Dips
    • Breakfast
      • Breakfast Casseroles
      • Eggs
      • French Toast
      • Muffins
      • Sweet Rolls
      • Quick Breads
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main Dish
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pasta
      • Pizza
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • Sides
      • Potatoes
      • Rice
      • Veggies
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • No-Bake
      • Pies
      • Flavored Popcorn
    • Breads
    • Sauces & Condiments
    • Drinks
  • Videos
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
  • Videos
  • Gift Guide 2020
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Salads

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    By Jill Baird · Published July 18, 2022 · Updated July 29, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Sharing is caring!

    6 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe

    This Caprese Pasta Salad 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 and basil, fresh mozzarella, and perfectly cooked pasta all tossed in our homemade balsamic dressing.

    Jump to:
    • Caprese Pasta Salad
    • Ingredients in This Pasta Caprese Salad
    • How to Make Caprese Pasta Salad
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Make-Ahead Instructions
    • Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
    • More Of The Best Summer Salad Recipes

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    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.  

    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.

    This Caprese 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.

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

    A glass mixing bowl filled with ingredients to make this Caprese Pasta Salad recipe, including cooked pasta, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

    Ingredients in This Pasta Caprese Salad

    • Pasta - the typical pasta to use for pasta salad is spiral pasta or rotini.  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 substitute red onions if you want.
    • 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.
    Small ramekins and a plate filled with ingredients to make balsamic dressing.

    How to Make Caprese Pasta Salad

    1. Cook and cool pasta.  Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions, then rinse with cold water until cool.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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. 
    5. Chill. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.  Enjoy!
    A close up of Caprese Pasta salad, topped with fresh basil and tomatoes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can Caprese 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.
    Print

    Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

    This Caprese Pasta Salad 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 and basil, fresh mozzarella and perfectly cooked pasta all tossed in our homemade balsamic dressing.
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 12 people
    Calories 235kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz Spiral Pasta cooked al dente
    • 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes cut in half
    • 1 cup Fresh Mozzarella Cheese cubed, pearls or sliced cheese sticks
    • ½ cup Fresh Basil sliced

    Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

    • ⅓ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ¼ cup Lemon Juice
    • ¼ cup Shallots minced
    • 1 clove Garlic minced
    • 1 ½ teaspoons Lemon Zest
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • ¾ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Glaze

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions, then rinse with cold water until cool.  Transfer drained and rinsed pasta to a large mixing bowl once cooled, then add the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and sliced basil leaves.
    • 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.
    • Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and gently mix until everything is evenly coated. Taste and season with extra salt and pepper as needed.
    • Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Of The Best Summer Salad Recipes

    • Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
    • Grilled Chicken BLT Salad
    • Broccoli Salad with Bacon
    • More Salad Recipes
    • More Side Dish Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    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.

    « Key Lime Pound Cake
    Pound Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Jill.

    I love sharing my love of food with you and helping you find easy solutions for all of your family's meals and delicious treats.

    Learn More

    Let's Be Friends!

    • Facebook
    • Instragram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Posts

    • Sweet and Sour Meatballs
    • Southwest Crispy Chicken Salad
    • beef shish kabobs cooked after a marinade for beef kabobs. and on a plate, marinade for shish kabobs, beef shish kabob.
      Asian Beef Kabobs
    • Green Shamrock Pancakes
    • Lucky Charms Cookies
    • Lucky Charms No Bake Cookie Bars
    • Oreo Dessert Pizza
    • Buffalo Chicken Pasta

    Explore More Recipes

    Footer

    About The Carefree Kitchen

    The Carefree Kitchen is where I get to share my love of food with you! Every recipe is tested and approved by my family and friends. These recipes are easy to prepare, nutritious, and delicious!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer • Terms and Conditions

    6 shares