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.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 235kcal
Author: The Carefree Kitchen
- 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
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!
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