Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil is absolute perfection!
Original post: February 2016 | Updated: June 2023
Why This Recipe Works
Caprese pesto pasta salad is one of those super easy recipes that gets rave reviews at any type of gathering and during any time of the year. I make this summer pasta salad a ton, even in the winter.
It sits in our fridge for lunches or snacks throughout the week. I also make it as a side dish, as well as bringing it to both summer and winter parties.
It is so super simple, requiring only a handful of main ingredients and it is off-the-charts delicious. It comes with a warning, though. Once you start eating it, you will not be able to stop.
The combination of tomatoes, fresh basil, Rotini pasta and fresh Mozzarella pearls is so deliciously perfect you will hardly be able to stand it. It is a great salad!
Recipe Ingredients
Pasta – Rotini or rotelle pasta cooked to al dente is a great addition, but feel free to use other short pasta shapes such as bowtie pasta, elbow macaroni, tortellini or penne. Turn this into a gluten free salad by using gluten-free pasta!
Tomatoes – Use up to 2 cups fresh tomatoes (grape or cherry) for this recipe. Either way, take the time to cut each tomato in half for an easy-to-fork dish.
Basil – Replace fresh basil leaves with 1 tablespoon of dried basil in a pinch!
Mozzarella – If you are unable to find fresh mozzarella balls (look in the specialty cheese section of your local grocery store), purchase a ball of fresh mozzarella cheese instead and cut it into small pieces.
Pesto – Store-bought pesto is easy to find, but feel free to make your own homemade basil pesto if you’re feeling adventurous. It is easy to make and so delicious!
How To Make Caprese Salad With Pasta and Pesto
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a 16-ounce box of Rotini pasta. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
Step 2
In a large salad bowl, combine the following ingredients:
- Cooked Rotini pasta, cooked in a large pot of salted water until al dente, then drained and brought to room temperature
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella pearls
- Chopped fresh basil
- Pesto sauce
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
Mix well, season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate until you are ready to serve this yummy salad!
What is Caprese
Caprese is a traditional Italian entree made from tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. These caprese flavors make an appearance in any recipe labeled as such.
Recipe Notes
- If you’re looking for a non-pasta version of caprese salad, give this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad a try!
- Keep this salad covered and in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days, so it is a great make-ahead dish.
- Store the salad ingredients separately from the balsamic glaze/dressing in the fridge if you wish, before serving.
- Sprinkle a thin layer of salt and black pepper, fresh parmesan cheese, fresh herbs and drizzle extra balsamic over the top of the salad just before serving.This makes a large bowl full of pasta salad, so feel free to cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch.
- Add shredded or chopped grilled chicken for extra protein and to create a complete meal.
- Squirt lemon juice over the top just before serving for a burst of freshness.
- A thin layer of pine nuts sprinkled over top just before serving adds a nice crunchy texture.
- This makes the perfect side dish, main dish, party food, picnic or dish for summer barbecues.
How Much Pasta Salad Per Person
When served as a party food or side dish, assume that each person will eat between 1/2 and 3/4 cup total. Twelve people can easily eat one batch of a typical pasta salad recipe.
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What To Serve With Pasta Salad
A variety of dishes pair well with pasta salad, including grilled or roasted vegetables, fruit, antipasto skewers and so much more.
How Long Does Pasta Salad Last
Pasta salad will stay fresh for up to 7 days in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container or in a bowl wrapped tightly with plastic wrap for best results.
Can You Freeze Pasta Salad
When pasta salad contains mayo and sour cream, they are not ideal for freezing. Cream-based ingredients will not separate entirely after being removed from the freezer and may have an undesirable texture.
Pasta salad made without these ingredients freeze really well when stored in an airtight container for up to 4 months.ingredients freeze really well when stored in an airtight container for up to 4 months.
Cold Pasta Salad Recipes
- Best ever pasta salad is one of my favorite recipes of all time. It is packed full of delicious bites (think olives, salami, chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes!) and it is the perfect food to bring to potlucks.
- If you love pickles dill pickle pasta salad is for YOU! It is creamy, flavorful and crunchy all in a single bite. This is a great, quick recipe to throw together for summer gatherings and potlucks. It’s a crowd pleaser!
- Italian pasta salad is a delicious cold salad that can be made quickly, but that does not lack in flavor! It is packed with Italian seasonings, pasta, crisp veggies, fresh mozzarella, black olives and salami.
- Easy classic macaroni salad is creamy, crunchy, filling and totally delicious! The simple dressing is made with mayo, mustard and apple cider vinegar with a few spices thrown in!
- Mediterranean pasta salad – Fill your fork with an incredibly tasty salad that combines pasta with fresh, crisp vegetables and a light vinaigrette straight from the Mediterranean! This zesty salad will be a perfect addition to a summer BBQ.
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Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz Rotini pasta cooked al dente, drained
- 8 oz tomatoes cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!16 oz Rotini pasta, 8 oz tomatoes, 8 oz mozzarella pearls, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup pesto, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
Notes
- Pesto is easy to find at most grocery stores, but feel free to make your own pesto if you’re feeling adventurous. It is easy to make and soo delicious!
- If you are unable to find fresh mozzarella balls (look in the specialty cheese section of your local grocery store), purchase a chunk of fresh mozzarella instead and cut it into 1/2-inch chunks.
- Turn this into a gluten free salad by using gluten free pasta!
- Keep this salad covered and in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days, so it is a great make-ahead dish.
- Replace fresh basil with 1 tablespoon of dried basil in a pinch!
- Sprinkle a thin layer of salt and black pepper over the top of the salad just before serving.
- This makes a large bowl full of pasta salad, so feel free to cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch.
- Add shredded or chopped grilled chicken for extra protein.
Hi, I’m making ahead for a party. Do I need to worry about my fresh basil turning black? Should I do everything and then toss the fresh basil in right before serving?
Hi Suzy – this is such a good party salad! I would however, hold off adding the basil until shortly before serving it. Although the oil will help it stay fresh longer than without, if you’re making it the day before, I think it’s good advice.
Easy tasty recipe. I ended up pretty much doubling the pesto, and added more tomatoes and cheese til it seemed more balanced.
Great! I’m glad you found what you loved, Laurie and enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing!
Hi,
This looks delish. I love caprese. But what can I use in place of the pesto. I have a severe nut allergy.
I have made nut free pesto before – it’s a delicious pesto either way. Just search for a recipe without online. I’ll have to make on for the blog too!
What pesto do you use or do you have your own recipe?!
Depending on time and what ingredients I have on hand, I have made my own and I’ve used yummy pesto from Costco. Making your own is super easy, putting all the ingredients into a food processor but sometimes I haven’t been to the store for those fresh ingredients recently. Here’s the link to one pesto recipe. There are so many ways to make it, that this is just one of many.
Thanks for asking!
https://www.pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/2010/11/30/spinach-basil-pesto.html?rq=pesto
Hi! Wondering if balsamic vinaigrette would work in place of the balsamic vinegar?
Good question. If you use a vinaigrette, then you wouldn’t need the olive oil in the recipe, just substitute out those two things. Let me know how you like it!
This pasta salad recipe is amazing..
So glad you like it, Susan!
Megan
Hi! I don’t have balsamic vinegar :/ can I use wine vinegar instead?
Hi Daniela! Use 1 tablespoon cider or red wine vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar as a substitute for 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar. I hope this helps! ENJOY!
Megan
I’m planning to make the Caprese Pasta salad for dinner tomorrow night (babysitting day). Do you think I can add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it the meal?
Hi Barbara! ABSOLUTELY! What a great idea! You may want to add a touch more liquids to make sure it doesn’t dry out. Yum! Enjoy!
Megan
I made this salad using gluten free brown rice rotini pasta. It turned out amazing and you can’t tell the difference. Excellent recipe!
Hi Carol! I always love hearing when gluten-free ingredients work well in my recipes. Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!
Megan