Fresh Italian Caprese Pasta Salad

As a busy mom, I love sides that feel fancy but take zero fuss, and my Italian Caprese Pasta Salad is exactly that! Tender pasta tossed with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, drizzled in an easy balsamic dressing it comes together quickly and easily. It’s the perfect addition to a weeknight meal, cookouts, potlucks or parties. Bursting with flavor everyone loves it!

A classic caprese salad is a simple combination of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil topped with balsamic, olive oil and salt and pepper. It is a beautiful combination of fresh flavors that is simple and delicious. This easy caprese pasta salad takes those classic flavors and turns them into an easy, family friendly side dish. I love to make for a quick weeknight side, or as an addition to any gathering!

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Ingredients for this Italian Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need for this easy caprese pasta salad recipe. I’ve included notes and ideas for substitutions. Find the full printable recipe card below.

Pasta– You’ll need a bite size pasta for this recipe. I used radiatori because I love the shape and how it holds onto the dressing for maximum flavor. You can use your favorite pasta shape- I think the best pasta for pasta salad is a spiral pasta like fusilli or rotini.

Fresh Basil – Fresh basil gives this salad a ton of flavor, and it’s pretty too! It is the perfect way to use fresh basil all summer long. In the off season you can usually find fresh basil leaves in your grocery store produce section.

Mozzarella Pearls– These little fresh mozzarella balls are the perfect bite size cheese for this salad. If you can’t find them you can chop fresh mozzarella into bite size cubes.

Grape Tomatoes – I prefer grape tomatoes because they have a delicious flavor. You can also use cherry tomatoes, or chopped roma tomatoes.

Shredded Parmesan – For the best flavor I like to use freshly shredded parmesan. For a quick option you can use pre-shredded parmesan.

Olive Oil – Because this is one of the main dressing ingredients I like to use a high quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste. You can use your favorite olive oil.

Minced Garlic – Garlic is a great compliment to the caprese flavors. You can use fresh garlic or jarred minced garlic.

Balsamic Vinegar – Balsamic vinegar has a great sweet and tangy flavor that makes the dressing delicious!

How to make this easy pasta salad recipe

First bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta. Drizzle the pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Gently stir it in and that will keep the pasta from sticking together.

Next it is time to make the dressing. In a medium size bowl whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic and balsamic vinegar to emulsify. Another great way to mix the dressing is to put it in a small mason jar, put the lid on and shake until it is well blended. This dressing is basically a balsamic vinaigrette and you want to make sure it is well mixed. Set aside. 

(If you prefer your cherry or grape tomatoes and mozzarella balls whole you can skip the next few steps)

Half or quarter the grape tomatoes into bite size pieces. 

Chop the basil into small pieces. 

Half the mozzarella balls if desired.

Now to assemble the salad.

Place the cooked pasta in an extra large mixing bowl. 

Add in the chopped tomatoes and basil, stir gently. 

Next add in the mozzarella and parmesan cheese and stir to evenly distribute. 

Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. 

Taste test and add salt to taste. 

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. 

FAQ Tips & Variations

Storage and make ahead tips-

This is a great recipe to have on hand. You can store the finished salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to make this salad ahead of time but have it as fresh as possible. You can mix together all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the salad dressing ingredients separately and store both in the fridge. Add the dressing to the caprese salad at least 30 minutes before serving.

Great additions to this pasta salad-

This caprese pasta salad is delicious as it is with its classic flavor combination. However if you want to add to it here are some great additions. You can add in extra veggies like chopped red onion, olives, peppers, broccoli or cucumber.

This recipe is easy to make into a main dish cold pasta salad, which we love for a summer day! You can add grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or another great option is chopped cured meats like pepperoni or salami.

This is the best caprese salad to feed a crowd because it makes a ton! You can always add more tomatoes, cheese and basil to make it even larger.

Notes about balsamic vinegar-

Balsamic vinegar is one of the most important components of this salad. Make sure to use the best quality balsamic you can find. For a lighter balsamic flavor you can use white balsamic vinegar. White has a lighter color and a more mild flavor. If you want to turn up the balsamic flavor you can use a more concentrated balsamic glaze. With any of them you can taste the salad and add more to the finished product it you want.

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