Caprese Pasta Salad
There’s something incredibly refreshing about a dish that’s both simple and packed with flavor, and that’s exactly what you get with Caprese pasta salad.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting board
- Salad Tongs or Serving Spoon
Ingredients
- 8 oz about 2 ½ cups pasta – rotini, fusilli, or penne work great
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes – halved
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls – ciliegine or pearls halved if large
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves – roughly torn
- 2 –3 tablespoons olive oil – extra virgin
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze – plus more for drizzling
- Salt and black pepper – to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Add a generous pinch of salt — this helps flavor the pasta from the inside out.
- Pour in your pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (tender but still slightly firm to the bite).
- Pro Tip: Set a timer and stir the pasta occasionally so it doesn’t stick together.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta using a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down for the salad.
- Shake off any excess water and let the pasta sit to dry slightly while you prep the other ingredients.
Step 2: Prep the Ingredients
- Rinse the cherry tomatoes and slice them in half.
- Drain the mozzarella balls and cut them in half if they’re on the larger side.
- Gently rinse and pat dry the basil leaves, then tear them by hand into smaller pieces.
- Pro Tip: Avoid using a knife on basil if you can — tearing helps prevent bruising and keeps the flavor fresh.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and torn basil.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss everything together gently until the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Pro Tip: Use salad tongs or your hands to toss carefully — you don’t want to break the mozzarella or squish the tomatoes.
Step 4: Add the Balsamic Glaze
- Once everything is well combined, drizzle 1 tablespoon of balsamic glaze over the salad.
- Give it one last gentle toss to distribute the glaze.
- Pro Tip: For a prettier presentation, reserve a little extra glaze to drizzle on top just before serving.
Step 5: Chill or Serve
- You can serve the Caprese pasta salad immediately at room temperature or pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle.
- If chilling, give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
- Pro Tip: If making ahead, add the basil just before serving so it stays fresh and vibrant.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~320–350 kcal
- Protein: ~12–14g
- Carbohydrates: ~28–30g
- Fat: ~18–20g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sugar: ~3–5g
- Sodium: ~250–300mg
- Calcium: ~150–200mg