This Caprese Pasta Salad is the traditional Caprese salad in pasta form! Pasta, fresh tomatoes, basil, and tomatoes! This is a simple recipe and the perfect side dish for your summer BBQ and potlucks!
I may earn commissions for purchases made through links on this post.
CAPRESE PASTA SALAD RECIPE
I could smell pesto all day long which is probably why I love this summer pasta salad. It’s pretty simple.
You could make fresh basil pesto with pine nuts and basil using a food processor but store-bought pesto is fine too.
Grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, basil, and pesto tossed with some small tender pasta – any shape will do.
WHAT KIND OF PASTA DO I USE?
Any short pasta will do here such as farfalle pasta, rigatoni, penne, elbows, ziti, rotini pasta,…you name it. Just use your favorite pasta.
Now with classic Caprese Salad there are layers of juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of regular balsamic vinegar.
The key to giving that extra bite is to mix a little balsamic in the dressing. Any more than about 1/2 a teaspoon of the balsamic dressing will start to turn your pasta brown.
Of course if you use white balsamic vinegar you can add as much as you want. This screams summer!!
OTHER CAPRESE RECIPES
OTHER ITALIAN RECIPES
- 3 cups dry orecchiette pasta, or other small pasta, (or 4 1/2 cups cooked pasta)
- 1/3 cup pesto, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, more to taste
- 1 1/2 cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups small pearlini fresh mozzarella balls, (or ciliegine cut in half)
- 6 leaves fresh basil leaves, finely shredded
- (optional) balsamic glaze
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook pasta al dente, about 8 minutes or according to the package directions; drain and cool.
-
Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar in a large bowl. You can add more balsamic to taste but it will start to change the color of the dressing unless you are using white balsamic vinegar.
-
Add pasta and toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil.
-
Chill in the fridge until ready to eat. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.
