Get ready to make this amazing cold summer pasta salad in no time at all, Easy Caprese Pasta Salad! This summer meal requires no cooking and uses a homemade balsamic dressing, mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes to make a great side or main dish. It's a summer classic the whole family loves.
This was delicious and got great reviews from my family and friends!
-Amy Hirschi
Why This Recipe is the Best
It perfectly completes a summer bbq, or a lazy afternoon lunch and is great for your next Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor day weekend. I first had this at Jason's Deli and knew I had to recreate it. This balsamic dressing-flavored dish is so simple, so fresh, and delicious. It was an instant hit and we make it for every summer bbq.
Looking for more summer fun? Check out our refreshing Blueberry Salad with Almonds and our Savory Sausage Dill Pasta.
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Key Ingredients
Check out the key ingredients for additional tips and substitutions. This recipe uses fresh ingredients that can be found at most grocery stores.
- Bow Tie Noodles- These are my favorite noodles to use because they look cute and pair well with the other ingredients. You can use your favorite noodle shape like penne, rotini, or macaroni.
- Mozzarella Pearls- This is used because it's easy to open the package, drain the excess water and add it to the mixture without having to cut anything. Simple, just like we love.
- Fresh Basil- In a pinch I've used ground basil but it doesn't taste as good and doesn't capture that caprese look and taste. All of our recipe testers agreed fresh basil made a huge difference.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Caprese Pasta Salad
Learn how to make this tasty pasta salad in no time at all. Follow these step-by-step instructions for best results.
1. In a large bowl, add the cooked and cooled noodles, add the mozzarella balls, chopped cherry tomatoes, and basil.
2. Mix the ingredients until they are evenly distributed. Make the homemade balsamic dressing and mix well so the oil isn't separate.
3. Toss with the homemade balsamic vinegar dressing and salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Hint: In a time pinch? Help cool the noodles faster by draining them and then running cold water through the colander.
For best taste, make sure to add dressing right before serving. The noodles will soak the dressing up after it has sat for some time and the flavor will not be as strong.
Helpful Hints
After you boil the bow tie noodles, let them cool! I rushed the process when recipe testing and it melted the mozzarella balls. Take the time to cool the noodles, or run them under cold water.
Top tip
Have a favorite balsamic vinaigrette? Use that in place of making your own dressing. But we highly recommend the Balsamic dressing!
Wait to put the dressing on right before serving. This way the vegetables maintain their freshness and the noodles don't soak up too much of the dressing beforehand.
Recipe
Caprese Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked bow tie pasta
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls 8 ounces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
- ⅓ cup fresh basil chopped
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic one clove
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, mozzarella pearls, chopped cherry tomatoes, and fresh chopped basil. Add salt and pepper and toss all together.
- In a small bowl combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and minced garlic. Mix well.
- Pour vinegar and oil mixture over the pasta mixture and toss. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pasta and mozzarella will become discolored when dressing is added. This is normal.
- Best fresh. If not serving the same day, wait to put dressing on until the time of serving.
- Store pasta salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Gluten Free - instead of regular noodles, use gluten free noodles to make this fit in a gluten free diet.
- Zucchini Noodles- Make this the ultimate vegetarian pasta salad by using zucchini noodles at a 1:1 ratio.
- White Balsamic- regular balsamic discolors the cheese and noodles. If you don't want this discoloration, use white balsamic instead of traditional.
- Pasta- don't have bow tie noodles on hand, feel free to substitute for your favorite noodles like rotini, elbow, shell, penne, or even orzo all at 1:1 ratio.
- Tortellini - make this a more filling meal by using cheese tortellini. Use the mozzarella pearls as usual or cut back to account for the cheese in the tortellini.
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes to add a kick to this flavorful salad.
Nutrition
Also check out this Lemon Caper Pasta or serve as a side dish with mayonnaise roasted turkey.
Storing Caprese Pasta Salad
Store leftover salad in an air tight container, or covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
If waiting to serve, store the dressing and noodle mixture separate. Mix together when ready to serve.
Variations
- Artichoke Hearts - add sliced marinated artichoke hearts for extra flavor. Add ⅓ cup.
- Italian Dressing - Don't like balsamic or don't have it on hand? Use Italian dressing instead, the flavor will be altered from traditional Caprese Pasta Salad but will still taste great.
- Protein- Need some extra protein added in? Add grilled chicken to the top of individual bowls or add sliced Prosciutto while mixing in the ingredients.
- Extra Greens- Try adding a cup of arugula or spinach for a leafy green addition.
- Sun Dried Tomatoes - For a more sun kissed flavor, instead of cherry tomatoes, use sun dried tomatoes.
Amy Hirschi says
This was delicious and got great reviews from my family and friends!
Karolyn Nelson says
I used this as a side salad, paired with bbq chicken. it was delightful and the fresh basil is amazing!
Andrea says
Made this for a lunch group and everyone loved it's fresh flavor. Thanks!