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!
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Caprese Pasta Salad is one of those super easy peasy recipes that gets rave reviews at any type of gathering and during any time of the year. I make this salad A TON throughout the year. I make it to sit in our fridge for lunches or snacks throughout the week. I also make it as a side dish and I bring it to many summer and winter parties during the year.
It is so super simple, requiring only a handful of main ingredients. It is also 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 fresh grape tomatoes, fresh basil, Rotini pasta and Mozzarella pearls is so deliciously perfect you will hardly be able to stand it.
WATCH THIS QUICK VIDEO TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO MAKE CAPRESE PASTA SALAD!
HOW TO MAKE PERFECT 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.
STEP 2
In a large bowl, combine the following ingredients:
- Cooked Rotini pasta, cooked according to package instructions and at room temperature
- 8-ounce container grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8-ounce package fresh Mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Mix well, season with salt and pepper and cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate until you are ready to serve this yummy salad!
RECIPE TIPS
- 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.
WHAT IS CAPRESE
Caprese is a traditional Italian entree made from tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. These caprese flavors make an appearance in any recipe labeled as such.
OTHER PASTA SALAD RECIPES
- Best Ever Pasta Salad -This is my favorite pasta salad recipe 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. There’s a zesty italian dressing that brings it all together for a perfect salad that could also be your dinner!
- Asian Pasta Salad – Spruce up your next pasta salad by making this tangy Asian Pasta Salad! This delicious dish is packed with an irresistible sweet and salty flavor, as well as tons of colorful, crunchy vegetables. This is the perfect dish to bring to any gathering!
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad – If you are a pickle lover, this 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 – This zesty 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. Make a double batch to share at your next summer gathering.
- Black Bean and Sun-Dried Tomato Salad – A unique twist on that plain ole’ pasta salad! So good, packed with flavor packed sun-dried tomatoes that give this salad its signature flavor. Also protein filled black beans and some delicious twisted elbows. If you’re a fan of feta cheese and delicious capers, then this will be a perfect salad for you!
- Easy Classic Macaroni Salad – Macaroni Salad is creamy, crunchy, filling and totally delicious! You have hard boiled eggs, crunchy celery and dill pickles chopped up and mixed in. You’ll enjoy the diced red onion and flavor of the simple dressing 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, your work potluck or at dinner on the table.
Caprese Pasta Salad
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
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!
This sounds so good! I love the pesto in there 🙂
Is there anything I can substitute for the balsamic vinaigrette? Will balsamic vinager work?
Hi Angela, thank you SO MUCH for pointing this out because I totally made a typo! I meant to write "balsamic vinegar," and I’ve changed it in the post. Thank you!
Megan
I can’t believe this recipe has been pinned so many times 78k(!!!!) and has so few comments. Crazy. I’m making it this weekend, and I promise to report back on how good it is 😉
This one is a keeper, Andrea! Maybe very little comments because it’s a no-fail. 🙂 Enjoy!!
Megan
Delish!!!!! I wish I found this sooner…
Absolutely tasty and wonderful presentation. I added blueberries and zucchini because I had it. The white balsamic vinegar from Trader Joes’ made it better. The 4th of July crowd loved it.
Colorful!!
Hi Julie! I LOVE that you added blueberries and zucchini to this salad. What a great idea!! So glad the salad was a hit.
Megan
So happy to find this sooner than later…you know how that goes! I will be making this to take to a cookout this weekend. I know it will be a hit. Thanks for posting.
Hi Megan, this looks delicious! You said this serves 8-10, but is that as a side or main dish? I want to make this for a potluck at work, so I imagine people will be taking fairly small portions.
Hi Lauren! I’d say 8-10 good healthy main dish servings! As a side, you could double for sure. I hope this helps and I hope you love it!
Megan
Will it be okay to make it the night before? I’m worried about it going dry.
Hi Chris! It will NOT go dry. I’ve made this the night before a few times and it is always wonderful the next day. Hoping it turns out great for you!!
Megan
Hey 🙂
I’m testing it right now… Tell you later what my people thought about it ?
Thanks
Made this today. It tastes delish!! Thank you.. :0)
Hi, I’m about to make this…I have a 12 oz rotini…..instead of 16…..do I need to make any adjustments? Thank you!!
That should be just fine, Kathy! Go with what you’ve got and enjoy!!
Megan
Can this be eaten cold ???
Yes, J, it’s best cold! Enjoy!
Megan
I just made this recipe and it’s delicious! I only had a 1/2 box of pasta and it came out just fine. In fact, better, because it’s just my hubby and me. I also added 1/2 tablespoon sugar to the vinegar, just because I love the sweet sour way it enhances the dressing. Definitely a keeper!
I made this tonight with tri-color rotini and it was delicious. Simple, easy, no "extra" ingredients. I will definitely make this again, and probably in a big batch for a party-type setting. Tonight, it was a great accompaniment to crab cakes. Thanks for a recipe that I will use over and over again!
Hi Leah! So glad to know this salad goes well with crab cakes! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Megan
How many calories is this. I made it and it was delicious but I’m trying to keep track
Sorry, Pretty Pesci, I don’t typically provide nutritional info on my recipes. Do a Google search for a calorie calculator and you should be able to figure it out pretty easily!
Megan
Hi! If anyone will see this comment tonight how do you make the pesto? Or do you buy it premade? Thanks !
Inna, I make my own pesto. The recipe is on my blog at http://morning-glory-garden.blogspot.com/search/label/pesto.
My family and friends and I LOVE this! And I don’t normally like pasta salads, but this is a delicious exception. Making it for a potluck tomorrow. Because I grow a lot of basil, I make my own pesto. Recipe at: http://morning-glory-garden.blogspot.com/search/label/pesto
Hey Victoria! So glad you guys love this salad as much as we do! I agree that not all pasta salad is super yummy. This one is definitely an exception! Your Basil Pesto recipe looks incredible! Adding it to my list!
Megan
Does anyone have ideas for something to sub for the pesto? My daughter has a nut allergy. Thanks in advance.
I made this today for my family & it was a hit! My 30 year old son doesn’t care for pasta salad but he had 3 servings. I didn’t have grape tomatoes so I chopped beef steak tomatoes up instead. I added chunks of soppressa to it as well. Delicious, will definitely make this again. Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Elaine! I’m so glad the pasta salad was a hit, especially with someone who doesn’t typically love it. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Megan
I made this today to take as an appetizer for happy hour tonight. I had to be careful not to sample the whole bowl. Very tasty! Aldi’s had all the ingredients, which was a bonus. Thank you!
Hi Suzy! I have the same problem every time I make this – it’s hard to stop once I start! SO happy you enjoyed it!
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
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
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
This pasta salad recipe is amazing..
So glad you like it, Susan!
Megan
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!
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,
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!