Juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy fresh mozzarella cheese make up a classic and refreshing Caprese salad. Add some pasta and a delicious homemade salad dressing to turn the Italian favorite into a big bowl of Caprese pasta salad that everyone is going to love! Instead of sliced mozzarella, this recipe uses mozzarella pearls, which are my favorite part of this dish. I love turning favorite meals into new and exciting recipes! If you love Caprese, you should also try my Chicken Caprese, Caprese Pasta Bake, and Burrata Caprese Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients in Caprese Pasta Salad
Here’s what you need to make this amazing pasta salad:
Pasta: The pasta shape I’m using here is called fusilli bucati, and it’s a super fun shape to use for pasta salads! You can use any type of short pasta though. Try cavatappi, rotini, shells, or farfalle. Tomatoes: One of the key ingredients in Caprese is flavorful red tomatoes. For this salad, I like to use sweet cherry tomatoes, cut in half. Fresh Mozzarella: While you could buy a large piece of mozzarella and cut it into cubes, I find the small balls, usually called “mozzarella pearls” to be adorable and convenient for this recipe. Basil: Another most for this Italian salad, fresh basil leaves give this pasta salad the best flavor. Chop up the basil just before adding it. Olive Oil: Always use extra virgin olive oil for salads. Its bright, fresh flavor is perfect for cold dishes. Balsamic Vinegar: Since I enjoy Caprese salad with a drizzle of balsamic on top, I’m using it in the vinaigrette for this pasta salad! The rich, deep flavor is perfect here.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Caprese Pasta Salad
Recipe Tips
Don’t overcook the pasta! You want the pasta to be fully cooked, but still a bit al dente when you bite into a piece. Keep in mind that once you drain it, we’ll stop the cooking process with cold water, so be sure that it’s soft enough to eat. Let the pasta cool: If the pasta is still warm when you add the rest of the ingredients you may find that your cheese melts and your dressing soaks in too quickly. Avoid that by rinsing the pasta well with cold water so that it cools down completely. Chill: The salad is ready to eat as soon as it’s mixed up, but you might enjoy the flavor and texture better if you let it chill in the fridge for an hour or more before serving. Make it Ahead of Time: Caprese pasta salad can be made and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, so it’s a great option for making up ahead of a party or meal to save time. If the salad seems dry after storing it’s just because the pasta has absorbed most of the dressing. Drizzle with olive oil and a bit of balsamic freshen it up again.
Storing Tips
Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Cold pasta salad recipes are great for meal-prepped lunches, as they don’t need to be reheated! My Tortellini Salad and Tuna Pasta Salad recipes work well in this way too.
What To Serve With Caprese Pasta Salad
This easy Italian pasta salad goes well with all of your favorite summer dishes. Try it with Grilled T-Bone Steaks, Grilled Shrimp Kabobs, or Cedar Plank Salmon. It’s also delicious as a side dish for turkey burgers and hot dogs! No matter the occasion, this pasta salad will fit right in. If you need a fabulous summertime dessert, be sure to check out my easy Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream recipe, or make Strawberry Pretzel Salad in jars!
This delicious, vegetarian, and easy Caprese Pasta Salad is going to be perfect for your next summertime party! Save this recipe for the next time you’re asked to bring a salad to share. © Little Sunny Kitchen
