Caprese Pasta Salad with juicy tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil with balsamic vinaigrette dressing is simple, refreshing and delicious!

When I think of the perfect summer salad, a Caprese Salad immediately comes to mind. With juicy garden fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil leaves dressed with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, not only is it delicious, it’s simply beautiful. If you’ve been around here for a bit, you’ll know that while I love a good summer salad, I also love pasta salad which is how this Caprese Pasta Salad came to be. With simple, fresh ingredients, this is an easy recipe that gives off the perfect Mediterranean vibes. You can serve Caprese Pasta Salad as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light main course. I love to add leftover grilled chicken and make it a meal. Enjoy!
❤️-Ashley

How to Make Caprese Pasta Salad

Making Caprese Pasta Salad is simple and easy. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Prepare the pasta: cook pasta according to package directions, making sure to salt the water. I like to use rotini noodles for this, but you can use any pasta you like most. Penne or bowtie pasta are other great options. After the pasta is cooked to al dente, drain it and allow it to cool completely. I like to put the pasta in the refrigerator to help the process along.
2. Prepare the vegetables: halve or quarter grape or cherry tomatoes depending on their size, then chop up some fresh basil.
3. Prepare the mozzarella cheese: I like to purchase fresh mozzarella pearls for this recipe. You can also buy a block of mozzarella cheese and cut it into bite-sized cubes. The mozzarella pearls that I purchased were a bit on the large size, so I cut them in half.
4. Combine the ingredients: Once the pasta has cooled completely, combine it with the tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. You can make homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, or use your favorite bottled dressing.
5. Chill: Cover the pasta salad and allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, or overnight.
6. Add balsamic glaze and serve: This part is optional, but just before serving, top the Caprese Pasta Salad with balsamic glaze and serve.

Customizing Pasta Salad

Here are a few ways that you can customize this pasta salad and make it your own:

• Add protein: I like to add grilled chicken to my caprese pasta salad and enjoy it as a light dinner.
• Make homemade balsamic dressing: I like to use a bottle of pre-made balsamic vinaigrette dressing from the grocery store but you are welcome to make your own dressing for this pasta salad.

Storing leftover pasta salad

Store leftover pasta salad in an air-tight container. Place leftovers in the refrigerator. Caprese pasta salad will last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.

What to Serve With Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese pasta salad can be served a variety of different ways – for picnics, potlucks, or any night of the week:

• With grilled meats – grilled chicken, steak or pork
• With BBQ – BBQ pulled pork or ribs
• As a main dish: add rotisserie chicken from the grocery store or grilled chicken.

If you make this caprese pasta salad recipe or any of my other recipes, let me know what you think! I love hearing from you! Enjoy!