Colorful Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe: A Fresh Summer Delight

Fresh summer ingredients dance together in this irresistible caprese pasta salad that promises to delight taste buds.

Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil create a harmonious blend of flavors.

The pasta serves as a perfect canvas for these classic Italian components.

Crisp and light, this dish brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate.

Each forkful delivers a burst of freshness and color that screams summer celebration.

Simple yet sophisticated, this salad transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Prepare to fall in love with every delicious bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

Caprese Pasta Salad Ingredient Essentials

• Pasta: Choose short pasta like penne or rotini that catches dressing and holds together beautifully.
• Salt: Enhances pasta's natural flavor during cooking process.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet summer variety provides bursting juiciness and vibrant color.
• Fresh Basil: Aromatic herb adds bright, peppery note and classic Italian essence.
• Garlic: Adds subtle depth and zesty background flavor to dressing.

• Mozzarella: Soft, milky cheese creates creamy texture and mild complementary taste.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base for dressing that helps blend flavors seamlessly.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Tangy Italian condiment that adds sophisticated sweet-sour balance.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides subtle heat and helps emulsify dressing.
• Balsamic Glaze: Optional finishing touch that adds glossy, concentrated sweetness.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and subtle spiciness.
• Salt: Balances and elevates overall flavor profile.

Tools That Help You Toss Caprese Pasta Salad Just Right

• Large pot: For boiling pasta to perfect al dente texture.
• Colander: To drain and rinse pasta under cold water.
• Small bowl or jar: For whisking together dressing ingredients.
• Large mixing bowl: To combine pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting board: For chopping tomatoes and basil.
• Sharp knife: To dice tomatoes and slice basil leaves.

How to Build a Caprese Pasta Salad That Pops

• Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook pasta in salted water until tender, then quickly cool under cold running water to stop the cooking process and keep it refreshing.

• Create Zesty Dressing

Whip up a mouthwatering blend of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small container, shaking or whisking until smooth and well combined.

• Assemble Flavor Explosion

Toss together the cooled pasta with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella chunks, and vibrant torn basil leaves in a large mixing bowl.

• Dress and Coat

Pour the tangy dressing over the pasta mixture, gently stirring to ensure every bite is coated with delicious flavor.

• Chill and Enhance

Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop a rich, harmonious taste.

• Final Flourish

Before serving, drizzle with a touch of balsamic glaze and scatter some extra fresh basil leaves for a stunning presentation that’ll make mouths water.

Variations for a New Take on Caprese Pasta Salad

• Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or penne that can easily hold the dressing and catch small ingredients for better flavor distribution.
• Prepare this salad up to a day in advance, storing the dressing separately and mixing just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and crisp.
• Replace mozzarella with firm tofu cubes or vegan cheese alternatives for a plant-based version that maintains the creamy texture.
• Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or white beans to transform this side dish into a complete and satisfying main course meal.
• Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

Serving This Salad Cold, Room Temp, or Picnic-Style

• Party Platter Perfection: Serve this vibrant pasta salad on a large wooden board with extra fresh basil leaves scattered around for a stunning visual impact.
• Picnic Paradise: Pack this chilled salad in individual mason jars for an easy, portable lunch that looks Instagram-worthy and travels perfectly for outdoor meals.
• Mediterranean Mezze Moment: Pair the salad alongside grilled chicken, warm pita bread, and a crisp white wine for a complete Mediterranean-inspired dining experience that transforms a simple dish into a feast.
• Summer Side Sensation: Complement this dish with grilled vegetables like zucchini or eggplant to create a light, refreshing meal that celebrates seasonal ingredients and bright flavors.

Storage Tips That Keep Caprese Pasta Salad Bright

• Store this pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the flavors fresh and ingredients crisp.
• Keep dressing separate from salad until serving to prevent soggy pasta and maintain ideal texture, which helps extend the salad's quality.
• Always serve chilled for best taste experience, allowing the mozzarella and tomatoes to remain cool and refreshing during meal time.
• Add fresh basil leaves right before serving to maintain their vibrant green color and prevent wilting, ensuring maximum visual appeal and flavor burst.

Vibrant Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Summer sunshine meets Italian elegance in this classic Caprese pasta salad that dances with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil. Cool pasta mingles with zesty ingredients, promising a refreshing Mediterranean escape for keen palates seeking bright, simple flavors.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 ounces (340 g) pasta (bowtie, rotini, or penne)
• 8 ounces (226 g) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved
• 1 pint (473 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup (120 ml) fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard (optional, for a little tang)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Balsamic glaze for drizzling (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions, then immediately rinse under cold water to halt cooking and cool down completely.
2. Dressing Creation: Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a compact container until emulsified and smooth.
3. Salad Assembly: Combine cooled pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, cubed fresh mozzarella, and torn basil leaves in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
4. Flavor Infusion: Drizzle prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, gently tossing to coat every ingredient thoroughly and allow seasoning to penetrate.
5. Chilling and Finishing: Refrigerate the salad for 15-30 minutes to enhance flavor integration, then present by adding a delicate balsamic glaze drizzle and extra fresh basil leaves as a vibrant garnish.

Notes

• Choose short pasta like rotini or penne to help dressing cling better and create perfect bite-sized mix.
• Allow salad to rest in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let ingredients marinate and develop deeper taste profile.
• Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella for creamy texture and rich flavor; buffalo mozzarella works best for authentic Italian taste.
• Tear basil leaves just before serving to prevent bruising and maintain vibrant green color and intense aromatic qualities.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 15mg