This Caprese Pasta Salad is packed with perfectly cooked pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and rich mozzarella cheese. It’s a light and tasty option that makes an excellent accompaniment for any meal this season.
If you enjoy caprese flavors, be sure to try this Caprese Sandwich and Chicken Caprese dish.
Recipe Information
I find this vibrant and delightful Caprese Pasta Salad to be incredibly flavorful. The fresh ingredients, mix of textures, and straightforward preparation make it one of my go-to recipes.
- FLAVOR: This Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a tangy, rich, and herbal taste that is simply delicious, thanks to the fresh garlic and basil combined with sweet and tart vinegar.
- TEXTURE: The creamy mozzarella pairs wonderfully with juicy tomatoes and al dente pasta for a satisfying bite.
- TIME: You can prepare this dish in about 15 minutes.
- EASE: It’s very easy to make, especially if you prepare the pasta beforehand.
Ingredients Required
Notes on Ingredients
- Pasta: Choose small pasta shapes like gemelli, rotini, or cavatelli.
- Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add the ideal sweetness for this salad.
- Mozzarella: Fresh pearl mozzarella is the right size for this recipe.
- Balsamic vinegar: This ingredient contributes a pleasant sweet and tangy flavor.
- Basil: Fresh basil is preferred for the best herbal taste.
- Balsamic glaze: This sweet, syrupy glaze is optional but enhances the dish.
Extra Ingredients and Substitutions
- Make it gluten-free: Substitute the pasta with a gluten-free option like penne.
- Swap the tomatoes: You can use chopped beefsteak or plum tomatoes, or try grape tomatoes instead.
- Use different mozzarella: While pearl mozzarella is ideal, you can also dice a block of fresh mozzarella in this salad.
Steps to Prepare Caprese Pasta Salad
- Mix the dressing ingredients: In a bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Whisk well: Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until fully combined, then set aside.
- Cook the pasta. Boil a large pot of salted water and add the dry pasta. Cook until al dente.
- Rinse the cooked pasta. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it with cold water.
- Combine salad ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with mozzarella pearls, sliced tomatoes, and chopped basil.
- Mix. Toss everything together thoroughly, then drizzle with a bit of balsamic glaze for added sweetness.
Pro Tip: Rinse the pasta with cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
Helpful Cooking Tips
- Use fresh ingredients- Fresh garlic and basil significantly enhance the flavor of the salad.
- Salt the pasta water- Salting the water allows the pasta to absorb flavor as it cooks, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
- Cook the pasta al dente- To prevent pasta from becoming mushy, rinse with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process before mixing it with the cheese and tomatoes.
- Add the balsamic glaze- This ingredient is key as it imparts a delicious sweet and tangy flavor to your salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Caprese pasta salad primarily uses short pasta, complemented by fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes, with balsamic vinegar as its dressing.
Caprese salad pairs well with various breads like Focaccia, or pasta dishes such as Chicken Stuffed Shells. It also goes nicely with meats like Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.
Serving Suggestions
This Caprese Pasta Salad is packed with creamy, rich, and tangy flavors. It complements breads, salads, meats, and pizzas perfectly.
- Meats: Pair this salad with Smoked Pork Chops, Ribeye Steak, Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, or Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
- Salads: Enjoy this pasta salad with a Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad (VIDEO), Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Tri Color Pasta Salad (VIDEO).
- Breads: Try it with Focaccia Bread, Sourdough Bread, Rustic Bread (overnight), or Brioche Buns (VIDEO).
- Pizza: Serve it alongside a slice of Margherita Pizza, Chicken Pesto Pizza, Mushroom Arugula Flatbread Pizza, or Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: Cook the pasta in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for one or two days before assembling the salad.
Storing: Keep this Caprese Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge where it can last for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freezing the pasta and the mozzarella is possible, but avoid freezing the tomatoes as they won’t thaw properly. It’s best to enjoy this salad fresh.
More Tasty Pasta Salads!
- The BEST Tuna Pasta Salad
- Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
- “`htmlChicken Pasta Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad (VIDEO)
Complete Recipe Instructions
Caprese Pasta Salad
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“““html
8
474
kcal
Ingredients
1/3 cup light tasting olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove pressed or grated
1 lb Gemelli pasta or any other short pasta such as rotini or penne
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16 ounces mozzarella ciliegine or pearls
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes sliced in halves
- 1/3 cup fresh basil chopped
- Balsamic glaze for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients until blended well, and then set it aside.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the uncooked pasta. Cook until al dente.
- After the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse with cold water to cool and stop further cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, mozzarella pearls, halved tomatoes, and chopped basil.
- Toss everything together. Drizzle some balsamic glaze on top for added sweetness (optional).“““html
Nutritional Information
Calories:
474
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
47
g
|
Protein:
21
g
|
Total Fat:
23
g
|
Saturated Fat:
9
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
10
g
|
Cholesterol:
45
mg
|
Sodium:
657
mg
|
Potassium:
300
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
“` | Sugar Content: 4g | Vitamin A Content: 709IU | Vitamin C Content: 13mg | Calcium Content: 308mg | Iron Content: 1mg
