Caprese Pasta Salad

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If you’re craving a light, flavorful dish that screams summer, this Caprese Pasta Salad is it! Inspired by the classic Italian Caprese salad, this recipe combines juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil with tender pasta and a tangy balsamic dressing. It’s simple, vibrant, and perfect for cookouts, picnics, or easy weeknight dinners.

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And gosh, it’s SO EASY! The hardest part about this recipe is cooking the pasta. Seriously, it’s that easy! And quick! The whole pasta salad comes together in just 15 minutes.

Caprese Pasta Salad is perfect for a BBQ, family get togethers, picnics, potluck, or as a simple side dish. Pretty much perfect for any occasion! It’s so popular, I guarantee it will disappear fast. (Probably should make a double recipe!)

Caprese is a classic Italian salad known for its simple, fresh ingredients and beautiful presentation. Traditionally made with slices of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves, it’s typically drizzled with olive oil and sometimes a splash of balsamic vinegar. The colors—red, white, and green—mirror the Italian flag, making Caprese both a visual and flavorful celebration of Italian cuisine. It’s light, refreshing, and all about letting the quality of the minimal ingredients shine.

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

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For the Salad

• Fusilli or Rotini Pasta (or Any Short Pasta): Fusilli’s spiral shape is perfect for holding onto all the delicious dressing and mingling with the other ingredients. Rotini, bowties (farfalle), penne, or even orecchiette would work beautifully—just be sure to cook until al dente and rinse in cool water to stop the cooking process.
• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, fresh tomatoes bring brightness and color to the dish. You can also use diced Roma or heirloom tomatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
• Fresh Basil (Lots of It!): Basil adds an aromatic, peppery freshness that screams summer. Cut the basil right before serving to preserve the flavor and vibrant green color.
• Mozzarella Cheese -Pearls, Bocconcini, or Diced Mozzarella): You can use the vacuum sealed mini mozzarella, cut a block of mozzarella or use the bocconcini balls packed in oil.

For the Dressing:

• Olive Oil: Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. It forms the base of your dressing and brings richness and smoothness.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Sweet, tangy, and bold—balsamic adds depth and complexity. It also complements the tomatoes and mozzarella beautifully.
• Salt & Pepper: Start with a pinch of each and taste as you go—you can always add more.
• Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon keeps things bright and adds a refreshing zing that balances the richness of the avocado and cheese.
• Garlic: A little minced garlic (or even a grated clove) adds a punch of savory flavor. Raw garlic is strong, so start small or mellow it out by letting it sit in the lemon juice and vinegar for a few minutes before mixing.
• Dried Oregano: This pantry herb adds a classic Mediterranean touch and brings an earthy, herby warmth that ties the whole dish together.

I told you it was easy!

How To Make It

This simple and flavorful pasta salad comes together in just a few easy steps. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or a quick lunch!

Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook it 1 minute less than the package directions for al dente texture.
Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.

Make the Dressing

While the pasta cooks, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar:

• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with:

• Mozzarella pearls (or cubed fresh mozzarella)
• Halved cherry or grape tomatoes
• Lots of fresh basil

Pour the dressing over everything and toss until evenly coated.
Taste and season with extra salt and pepper if needed.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Can this be made ahead of time?

Yes! There are a couple of tips to keep it fresh while still making it ahead of time:

• Use whole cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. If you are dicing larger tomatoes do that right before serving because it tends to make the salad too watery if the pasta sits in diced tomato juice. You could dice them ahead of time, just keep it separate until ready to serve.
• Same with the dressing. Prepare the dressing ahead of time, but don’t mix it in until you’re ready to serve for the best results.
• Toss the cooked pasta with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together. Make sure the pasta is cooled before mixing it with the other ingredients.
• Mix the pasta (with a little olive oil), the basil, and the mozzarella together, and the tomatoes if they are uncut. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Store the dressing in a mason jar or air tight container in the refrigerator. Let the dressing come to room temperature (about 15 minutes on the counter) before mixing it in the pasta. Right before serving toss everything together.

Addition Suggestions

You can add all kinds of different ingredients to this pasta! Make it your own! It’s a great base.

• Grilled Chicken Caprese – Add sliced grilled chicken to make it a protein-packed meal.
• Pesto Caprese – Swap the balsamic for a drizzle of basil pesto for extra herby flavor.
• Berry Caprese – Add sliced strawberries or blueberries for a sweet and savory combo that’s perfect in summer.
• Avocado Caprese – Creamy avocado slices pair perfectly with the classic Caprese trio.
• Caprese Skewers – Thread cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto toothpicks for a party-ready appetizer.
• Caprese with Burrata – Use creamy burrata instead of mozzarella for an extra indulgent upgrade.

Caprese is one of those dishes that’s endlessly adaptable—if you’ve got tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, you’re halfway there!

You might also like

• Avocado Caprese Salad
• The BEST Pasta Salad
• Watermelon Salsa
• Peach Crumble
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Orzo Salad with Chickpeas
• The Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad

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