Caprese Pasta Salad

This Caprese Pasta Salad is a crowd favorite pasta dish. Caprese salad is combined with pasta and mixed with a delicious balsamic glaze to create a delicious side dish. This pasta salad will be on repeat all summer long.

If you are like my family, we make pasta salads for all our summer BBQ’s and potlucks. They are light, fresh and easy to make. You can easily make them in a variety of ways and they pair perfectly with any grilled meats. You may like this Tuna Macaroni Salad for a light and delicious pasta salad.

What is Caprese Pasta Salad?

A classic Caprese Salad is made with ripe tomatoes and layered with slices of mozzarella cheese. Basil Leaves are also added and it is then drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

But we took that recipe to the next level by mixing these ingredients with pasta. Which makes a light and refreshing side dish that is a crowd favorite.

Ingredients 

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variation Ideas

• Mozzarella Balls – For a substitute for Mozzarella Cheese, feel free to use feta cheese or goat cheese.
• Short Pasta – We recommend making this recipe with a short pasta option. Spiral, shell, or penne pasta are all good options for this pasta salad.
• Tomatoes – Feel free to use different types of tomatoes. You can use grape tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes. You can use sweet, red or yellow cherry tomatoes.
• Add in Vegetables – You can easily add in other types of fresh vegetables. Avocado, onions, or bell peppers are great options to add to this pasta salad.
• Chicken – If you have leftover grilled chicken, shred it and add it to this pasta salad. This allows it to be a light lunch or dinner during the summer.
• Tuna – Another options to add into this pasta salad is some canned tuna. Mix in some black olives or green olives with the tuna for the perfect combination.
• Extra Spice – If you want to serve this salad with an extra kick. Mix in a teaspoon or two of red pepper flakes.

How to make Caprese Pasta Salad

• Step 1 – Cook Pasta – Cook the pasta based on the package instructions to al dente.  Drain the pasta.  Rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool.  

• Step 2 – Combine Ingredients – While the pasta is cooling, in a large bowl combine the ingredients. Mix the tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, half of the fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.  Stir until tomatoes and cheese are well coated. Let sit for 30 minutes. 

• Step 3 – Stir in Pasta – Then stir in the cooled pasta.  Stir until well combined.   

• Step 4 – Top with Basil – Top with the remaining fresh basil. 

• Step 5 – Serve – Serve and enjoy.

How to Make the Balsamic Dressing

The Balsamic Dressing is a delicious combination of simple ingredients and the best ingredients makes this dressing even better.

• Olive Oil – Start the dressing with an olive oil. We like using Extra Virgin Olive Oil but you can use different types of olive oil.
• Balsamic Vinegar – We used regular balsamic vinegar in this recipe. But you can also use a golden balsamic vinegar which keeps the mixture light in color. Golden Balsamic Vinegar has a slighter sweeter taste, but you can use what you prefer.

Mix the olive and balsamic vinegar together with minced garlic and salt and pepper. Feel free to use fresh garlic clove for the dressing. Use a garlic press or minced the garlic.

Combine these ingredients with the tomatoes and cheese for delicious flavor.