Summer is all about delicious and easy salads and this Caprese Pasta Salad is just that! It’s very flavorful, easy to make and can be served cold at anytime!
This Caprese Pasta Salad is perfect for BBQs, lunch boxes or simply enjoy it for lunch or dinner at home with your family! Al dente pasta, mixed with tomatoes and mozzarella, drizzled in a light and zesty dressing – a real crowd pleaser!
If you are looking for more pasta salads, why not try my addictive Taco Ranch Pasta Salad or my Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad.
Why this Caprese Pasta Salad is so good
- An easy salad. Around 15 mins from pantry to table, with onyl a few ingredients needed.
- Perfect for summer. This pasta salad is light and bristling with summer flavor.
- A light and zesty dressing. An addictive vinaigrette made with balsamic, lemon juice and a herb mix.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Pasta: Bowtie works great.
- Mozzarella Cheese Pearls
- Onion
- Cherry/Grape Tomatoes
- Fresh Basil
- Dressing: Olive oil, balsamic glaze, lemon juice, salt, dried oregano, black pepper, dried basil.
How to make this Caprese Pasta Salad
- Cook Pasta al dente.
- In a bowl or cup, prepare the dressing. Adjust salt per taste and preference.
- Slice the tomatoes, onions and chop the basil.
- Place all ingredients in a bowl: cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese, basil, onions and tomatoes. Pour in the dressing and mix everything together to coat well.
- Serve and enjoy.
Recipe notes and tips
- If you can’t find mozzarella pearls you can buy any mozzarella cheese.
- Stick with dried pasta instead of fresh. It can be served chilled or at room temperature, and holds up well when tossed with dressing and other ingredients.
- For the best pasta texture, plan to cook the pasta until just past al dente. Adding an extra minute or so of cook time will keep the pasta soft while it cools.
- To make sure your pasta salad is well-seasoned and flavorful, it’s best to start seasoning early. The best time to do this is right out of the gate when you’re cooking the pasta.
Frequently asked questions
What cheese is best to use in this Caprese Pasta Salad?
I used mozzarella pearls for this recipe. The one I got comes in a little container stored in water. But you can use just the regular ones that are packaged for snacking. They are found literally everywhere. Some of you who live overseas and might not have those pearl ones in hand, you can always buy any soft mozzarella cheese and cut them into little cubes for this recipe. It doesn’t really matter.
What’s the best dressing for a Caprese Pasta Salad?
I love the dressing that goes with this salad because it’s so light and flavorful. If you are not a fan of balsamic vinegar, you can use another type of vinegar/dressing and use it for the recipe. But it won’t be the same anymore, just for a side note. I think maybe your best bet will be like an Italian or Greek base dressing or vinaigrette.
Is this a good salad for BBQ’s?
Absolutely! Serve as a cold salad and enjoy! As I mentioned before, this Caprese Pasta Salad is so perfect for BBQs or if you have some sort of a party, it’s a life saver. I also make it a lot for my kids because they love Caprese recipes to begin with. It’s perfect for kids lunch boxes and even for adults to take to work.
Can I make this ahead of time?
While it will stay good for a couple days, it’s best to make pasta salad the day of or the day before you plan to eat it.
Other recipes you may like
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Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz. bowtie pasta raw
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese pearls
- 1/4 cup purple onion sliced (1/2 small onion)
- 1 1/2 cup cherry/grape tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
DRESSING:
- 3 tbsps. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. balsamic glaze
- 2 tbsps. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsps. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried basil
Instructions
- Cook Pasta al dente.
- In a bowl or cup, prepare the dressing. Adjust salt per taste and preference.
- Slice the tomatoes, onions and chop the basil.
- Place all ingredients in a bowl: cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese, basil, onions and tomatoes. Pour in the dressing and mix everything together to coat well.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- If you can’t find mozzarella pearls you can buy any mozzarella cheese.
- Stick with dried pasta instead of fresh. It can be served chilled or at room temperature, and holds up well when tossed with dressing and other ingredients.
- For the best pasta texture, plan to cook the pasta until just past al dente. Adding an extra minute or so of cook time will keep the pasta soft while it cools.
- To make sure your pasta salad is well-seasoned and flavorful, it’s best to start seasoning early. The best time to do this is right out of the gate when you’re cooking the pasta.
What is balsamic glaze?
It’s a thick and condensed form of balsamic vinegar, more sweet. I use the Delallo Foods brand.
Can you add shredded chicken breast to this salad
Hey Julie,
Ofcorse!
Why is my dressing so dark? Your picture shows the pasta much lighter. I used all of the same ingredients listed in your recipe.
It shouldn’t be too dark, not sure what type of glaze you used but some can be darker than others. Also when we take photos, the dressing sinks to the bottom. As long as the flavor is good, don’t worry too much about the color because glazes do differ based on the brand.