Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties and summer potlucks! 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.
- The fresh pesto, bold flavors and tender pasta all make this delicious pesto caprese pasta salad a dream come true!
- It is such a simple recipe, requiring only a handful of main ingredients.
Recipe Ingredients
Pasta – Rotini or rotelle pasta cooked to al dente are perfect choices, 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 tomatoes or cherry tomatoes) for this recipe. Either way, take the time to cut each tomato in half for the perfect size.
Basil – Replace fresh basil leaves with 1 tablespoon of dried basil in a pinch!
Balsamic vinegar – The combination of balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil creates a delicious balsamic vinaigrette that is absolute perfection.
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 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
- 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 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
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
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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.
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 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
Does anyone have ideas for something to sub for the pesto? My daughter has a nut allergy. Thanks in advance.
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
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.
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
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
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!
Can this be eaten cold ???
Yes, J, it’s best cold! Enjoy!
Megan
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
Made this today. It tastes delish!! Thank you.. :0)
Hey 🙂
I’m testing it right now… Tell you later what my people thought about it ?
Thanks
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
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
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.
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
Delish!!!!! I wish I found this sooner…
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
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
This sounds so good! I love the pesto in there 🙂