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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Caprese Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead caprese pasta salad recipe with pasta tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.

    Caprese Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead caprese pasta salad recipe with pasta tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. caprese pasta salad | caprese pasta | tomato and mozzarella pasta
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This cold tomato and mozzarella pasta is the perfect picnic or potluck recipe and is also delicious served with chicken, fish, shrimp and more!

    Caprese pasta salad recipe

    Caprese salad is typically a delicious fresh mixture of fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. This caprese pasta salad recipe combines those caprese salad flavors with pasta and a light dressing for an easy, make ahead cold pasta salad recipe.

    Caprese Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead caprese pasta salad recipe with pasta tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. caprese pasta salad | caprese pasta | tomato and mozzarella pasta

    There are many different options for caprese salad dressings. You can choose an Italian dressing or pesto for caprese. Or make pasta salad with balsamic vinaigrette like this recipe with a homemade balsamic dressing.

    Caprese Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead caprese pasta salad recipe with pasta tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. caprese pasta salad | caprese pasta | tomato and mozzarella pasta

    Ingredients

    • Pasta – use rotini, fusilli, tortellini, capellini, orzo, rigatoni or other pasta. You can make spaghetti caprese, penne caprese, and even tortellini or ravioli can be used.
    • Basil – fresh basil sliced into ribbons.
    • Fresh mozzarella– mozzarella balls, mozzarella pearls, burrata, bocconcini or any mozzarella cheese you can find.
    • Tomatoes – the best tomatoes for caprese like this is cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes because they are bite sized. But you can also cut regular tomatoes in bite sized pieces or even use sun dried tomatoes if you’d like!
    • Parmesan – finely grated parmesan cheese if available.
    • Olives – or simply leave them out if you’d rather make pasta salad without olives.
    • Balsamic vinaigrette – a homemade balsamic vinaigrette made with garlic, dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
    Caprese Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead caprese pasta salad recipe with pasta tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. caprese pasta salad | caprese pasta | tomato and mozzarella pasta

    Step by step instructions

    1. Cook pasta and prepare balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing then toss them together and refrigerate to chill.
    2. Toss cooled and dressed pasta with mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, parmesan and basil.
    3. Serve and enjoy!

    Yield

    This pasta salad recipe serves between 6-8 people depending on if you serve it as a vegetarian pasta main or as a smaller side.

    What to serve with

    Serve caprese pasta salad tossed with chicken and spinach or arugula to make it a complete meal in one. Or add shrimp, salami or prosciutto to add a little more protein to this pasta salad recipe.

    Or serve as a side dish for chicken, fish, shrimp, steak, and burgers. Caprese pasta goes with so many dishes from baked dishes, barbeque, soups, sandwiches, wraps and more!

    You can even serve this recipe with Caprese Steamed Clams and Caprese Grilled Cheese and have a whole meals of caprese recipes!

    Make ahead

    Make ahead caprese pasta salad is perfect for serving to a crowd at large gatherings or for taking along to outdoor adventures like camping trips or picnics.

    Caprese Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead caprese pasta salad recipe with pasta tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. caprese pasta salad | caprese pasta | tomato and mozzarella pasta

    Caprese Pasta Salad

    This simple Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is easy to make with fresh herbs and mozzarella. Tossed with quick balsamic vinaigrette it’s a perfect summer side.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Chilling Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    caprese pasta, caprese pasta salad, caprese pasta salad recipe, mozzarella pasta salad, tomato and mozzarella pasta
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 342kcal
    Author: Tristin Rieken

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound pasta
    • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella bocconcini
    • 12 ounces cherry tomatoes grape tomatoes or other tomatoes, cut into bite sized pieces
    • 16 ounces black olives drained
    • ½ cup fresh basil loosely packed and cut into ribbons
    • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

    balsamic vinaigrette

    • 2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon fresh basil sliced

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta in generously salted water according to package directions. Drain but do not rinse then place in large mixing bowl.
    • Meanwhile, prepare balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing and toss with drained but not rinsed pasta.
    • Refrigerate pasta mixture until completely cooled, about 30 minutes or longer.
    • While pasta cools prepare other ingredients. Drain mozzarella and discard brine. If mozzarella balls are large, cut in halves or quarters to make roughly bite sized pieces. Similarly cut tomatoes in bite sized pieces.
    • Toss cooled and dressed pasta with mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, parmesan and basil.

    balsamic vinaigrette

    • Combine chopped garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, salt, dijon mustard and basil in a medium bowl. Stir in balsamic vinegar and slowly pour olive oil while whisking the mixture. Balsamic vinaigrette will be slightly thick and emulsified after the olive oil is properly combined with the mustard/balsamic mixture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 1745mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1033IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 248mg | Iron: 1mg
    Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
    Nutrition Facts
    Caprese Pasta Salad
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 342 Calories from Fat 279
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 31g48%
    Saturated Fat 8g50%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 19g
    Cholesterol 28mg9%
    Sodium 1745mg76%
    Potassium 335mg10%
    Carbohydrates 10g3%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Protein 10g20%
    Vitamin A 1033IU21%
    Vitamin C 14mg17%
    Calcium 248mg25%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Inspired by the beauty of gathering round a table Tristin Rieken shares ideas for living a Fresh, Flavorful Life!

    Inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest recipe developer and food photographer, Tristin Rieken, shares easy recipes and simple ideas for eating, entertaining and adventuring your way to a Fresh Flavorful Life.

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