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    Home » Appetizers » Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

    Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

    Published: May 28, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Caprese Pasta Salad recipe 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!

    Bowl of caprese pasta salad next to a larger serving bowl.

    Original post: February 2016 | Updated: May 2021

    Why This Recipe Works

    Classic caprese 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 salad a lot, whether it is a hot July bbq or a frigid December game day party.

    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 many 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.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Bowl filled with caprese pasta 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, elbow macaroni, tortellini or penne. Turn this into a gluten free salad by using gluten-free pasta!

    Tomatoes – Use up to 2 cups grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes) for this recipe. Either way, take the time to cut each tomato in half for an easier-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 instead and cut it into 1/2-inch chunks.

    Pesto – This ingredient 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!

    How To Make Caprese Pasta Salad

    Step 1

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a 16-ounce box of Rotini pasta. Cook until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.

    Strainer filled with cooked rotini pasta.

    Step 2

    In a large 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, halved
    • Fresh Mozzarella pearls
    • Chopped fresh basil
    • Pesto
    • 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!

    Heaping pile of pasta mixed with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.

    Recipe Notes for Classic Caprese Salad

    • 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 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.
    • Serve as a main dish, party food, picnic food or side dish.

    Popular Pip and Ebby Recipes

    • Arby’s Copycat Sauce
    • Best Ever Goulash
    • Bootleg Drink
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    • Pickle Rollups

    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.

    Top view close-up of a light summer salad.

    FAQ About Pasta Salad

    Can pasta salad be frozen?

    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.

    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.

    What cheese for pasta salad?

    Cheddar cheese tastes great in taco pasta salad, cojack cheese is best in pasta salad with Italian dressing and fresh mozzarella cheese is a wonderful addition to caprese pasta salad.

    How to make creamy pasta salad?

    Pasta salad is made creamy by adding ingredients such as mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese and/or yogurt. Do not exceed 2 cups total.

    How long will pasta salad last in the fridge?

    Pasta salad will stay fresh for up to 7 days in the fridge. Store leftovers in a sealed airtight container for best result

    Cold Pasta Salads

    • 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.

    Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

    This Caprese Pasta Salad recipe 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!
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 367kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    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!

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 472IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laurie

      December 07, 2022 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      Easy tasty recipe. I ended up pretty much doubling the pesto, and added more tomatoes and cheese til it seemed more balanced.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        December 08, 2022 at 1:00 am

        Great! I’m glad you found what you loved, Laurie and enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    2. Christina D.

      April 06, 2018 at 4:36 am

      Hi,
      This looks delish. I love caprese. But what can I use in place of the pesto. I have a severe nut allergy.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        April 07, 2018 at 8:58 pm

        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!

        Reply
    3. Meaghan

      March 05, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      What pesto do you use or do you have your own recipe?!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        March 06, 2018 at 8:49 pm

        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

        Reply
    4. Maria

      January 11, 2018 at 1:22 am

      Hi! Wondering if balsamic vinaigrette would work in place of the balsamic vinegar?

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        January 25, 2018 at 8:19 pm

        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!

        Reply
    5. susan

      August 02, 2017 at 8:45 pm

      This pasta salad recipe is amazing..

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        August 08, 2017 at 6:57 pm

        So glad you like it, Susan!
        Megan

        Reply
    6. Daniela

      July 21, 2017 at 1:16 am

      Hi! I don’t have balsamic vinegar :/ can I use wine vinegar instead?

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        July 22, 2017 at 2:55 am

        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

        Reply
    7. Barbara

      July 10, 2017 at 4:11 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        July 10, 2017 at 5:44 pm

        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

        Reply
    8. Carol

      July 07, 2017 at 11:04 pm

      I made this salad using gluten free brown rice rotini pasta. It turned out amazing and you can’t tell the difference. Excellent recipe!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        July 10, 2017 at 2:41 am

        Hi Carol! I always love hearing when gluten-free ingredients work well in my recipes. Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!
        Megan

        Reply
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