Caprese Pasta Salad
A vibrant and refreshing Caprese Pasta Salad combining juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and al dente pasta in a tangy balsamic glaze. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook (aside from boiling pasta)
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces short pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, halved if large
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed, torn
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse briefly with cool water.
- While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, and tear basil leaves.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
- Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and extra basil if desired.
- Serve immediately or chill for deeper flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality olive oil for best flavor.
- Wait to add basil until just before serving to avoid discoloration.
- Try tricolor pasta for extra visual appeal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Caprese, pasta salad, summer salad, vegetarian pasta, picnic dish, Italian salad
Find it online: https://dishmio.com/caprese-pasta-salad/