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Caprese Pasta Salad

Salads Side Dishes

This Caprese Pasta Salad is filled with tender noodles, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella cheese. It’s tossed in a white balsamic and pesto dressing, which gives this dish a burst of flavor. Simple, fresh, and full of flavor, this cold pasta salad is ready in minutes and is perfect for summer!

bowl of caprese pasta salad in front of pint of Edy's ice cream

Easy Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

If you’ve been hanging around here long enough, you know that I’m practically obsessed with caprese flavors, especially in the summer.

From this garlic bread, to that quinoa salad, this burger, and that grilled cheese, I love finding new ways to incorporate the trifecta of my favorite ingredients (tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese).

This caprese pasta salad is filled with tender noodles, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella cheese. It’s tossed in a white balsamic and pesto dressing, which gives this dish a burst of flavor. Simple, fresh, and full of flavor, this pasta salad is ready in minutes and is perfect for summer!

If you love caprese as much as I do, then I guarantee you’ll be head over heels for this caprese pasta salad.

The fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella make the most amazing flavor combination, especially when tossed with a zesty dressing. And what could be better than tossing everything with some fresh pasta?

So, the next time you’re looking to entertain at a summer party or get-together, or just want to embrace the flavors of summer, this Caprese Pasta Salad is just what you need!

caprese pasta salad in white bowl on blue checked towel

Caprese Pasta Salad Ingredients 

This caprese pesto pasta salad couldn’t be simpler to make! Here’s what you’ll need to make this tomato, basil, and mozzarella pasta salad: 

  • Pasta
  • Olive oil
  • White balsamic vinegar
  • Pesto 
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Fresh basil
  • Mozzarella pearls 
  • Salt and pepper 

What’s the Best Pasta for Pasta Salad? 

I recommend using cavatappi or another short, sturdy pasta shape to make this recipe for caprese pasta salad.

bowl of caprese pesto pasta salad on blue towel

How to Make Caprese Pasta Salad

And like most of my recipes, this caprese pesto pasta salad is a breeze to whip up. But you knew that was coming, right?

  1. Cook noodles until al dente. 
  2. Toss together cooked pasta, olive oil, pesto, and white balsamic vinegar. 
  3. Add remaining ingredients and stir. 

You can enjoy this caprese pasta salad immediately while it’s still warm, or you can refrigerate it to eat as a cold pesto pasta salad. 

Can You Freeze Pasta Salad? 

I don’t recommend freezing this caprese pasta salad, no. The cherry tomatoes would change texture, as would the fresh basil. 

How Long Does Caprese Pasta Salad Last? 

You can keep this caprese pesto pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days, noting that the pasta and tomatoes will soften over time. 

large white bowl of caprese pasta salad

Recipe Variations to Try

You can mix and match the ingredients in this caprese pasta salad recipe as you see fit. Here are some ingredient swaps you can make, if needed: 

  • Pasta: Use any short and sturdy pasta shape you’d like. 
  • Mozzarella pearls: You may buy a ball of mozzarella and dice it, if that’s all you can find. 
  • Pesto: I used basil pesto, but any variety will work. 
  • White balsamic vinegar: Regular balsamic will also work, just note that it has a much stronger flavor. 
  • Cherry tomatoes: Grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes may also be used. 

Tips for Making Caprese Pasta Salad

  • I used cavatappi noodles to make this caprese pesto pasta salad, but any short, sturdy noodle will work. Think: elbow macaroni, bowtie pasta, etc. 
  • I used classic basil pesto in this recipe, but really any pesto will work. I’ve seen fun pesto variations at the store like sun-dried tomato pesto — use whatever you’d like. 
  • Note that this caprese pasta salad is best the day it’s made. The tomatoes and basil wilt over time, and the pasta will soften the longer it sits in the fridge. 

Looking for more pasta salad ideas? I’ve got you covered!

This Caprese Pasta Salad is filled with tender noodles, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella cheese. It's tossed in a white balsamic and pesto dressing, which gives this dish a burst of flavor. Simple, fresh, and full of flavor, this pasta salad is ready in minutes and is perfect for summer!
Print Pin

Caprese Pasta Salad

This Caprese Pasta Salad is filled with tender noodles, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella cheese.
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword caprese recipe, pasta salad recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 441kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cavatappi noodles (or other noodle of choice)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes , quartered
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 8 oz mozzarella pearls
  • Salt and pepper , to taste

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water.
  • Pour pasta into a large bowl. Add olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, and pesto. Toss to combine.
  • Add tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 891IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

By Gayle |

Comments

  2. Mir says

    As you can see from my post toay, I too am a huge fan of the EDY’s ice cream! And this pasta salad would be a good way to start that meal that ends with gobs of ice cream! 🙂

    Reply

  4. Kate @ Framed Cooks says

    Oh gosh, I am so with you with All Things Caprese…and my basil plants are taking over the garden, so I pretty much need to make every caprese recipe that comes my way! Looking forward to this one!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Oh I bet you’re loving fresh basil, Kate! I need to plant some next year. Thanks for the caprese love!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      I don’t think I could ever get sick of barbecue and cookout foods, either…especially when it comes to caprese! 🙂 Thanks, Sarah!

      Reply

  6. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    I’ve never heard of that brand of ice-cream, but sounds like it has a lot of good things going on! I’ll have to keep an eye out for it next time I’m at the grocery 🙂

    Oh, I LOVE caprese anything too, Gayle! And, how can you go wrong with pasta?! This looks completely delicious with the pesto, mozza pearls and white balsamic. I can’t wait to try on our next bbq (hopefully this weekend 😉 ). Pinned, of course. Have a great week! xo

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Caprese and pasta just go together perfectly, don’t they? Thanks for the kind words and pin, friend!

      Reply

  9. marcie says

    Ice cream and caprese-anything sums up summer pretty well for me, too! What fun flavors of those ice creams and I could eat this pasta salad every day — it’s the perfect summer side!

    Reply

  11. mira says

    Love EDY’s ice cream and need to try this Butterfingers flavor! The pasta salad looks so light and fresh, will definitely try it! Love that you used white balsamic vinegar, it has been my favorite to add to salads lately 🙂

    Reply

  14. Kelly says

    Ice cream is my favorite and I have such a weakness for caprese-anything too! This yummy pasta salad is the perfect summer side! And I love the white balsamic and pesto in here!

    Reply

  18. Danielle says

    Caprese anything and ice cream always scream summer to me too. You always come up with the best caprese recipes, Gayle! I could easily eat this any time of year!

    Reply

  20. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    I like the way you think, Gayle, because ice cream and caprese are on my summer MUST list as well! Edy’s makes some dang delicious ice cream, but I hadn’t seen those flavors, so thanks for sharing! Now this pasta salad!!! YES! Caprese all the things makes my skirt fly up, especially when it involves pasta! I could easily eat just this for dinner, but it would also make an awesome side at my next BBQ! Pinned! Cheers!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I think caprese anything could be my dinner every night, along with ice cream! 🙂 Thanks for the kind word and pin, friend!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      I think you’ll love white balsamic, I use it on all of my salads! Thanks for the kind words, Michelle!

      Reply

  26. Demeter | Beaming Baker says

    One big bowl of this pasta and two big bowls of ice cream. That’s all you really need in life, right? Gayle,I am loving your love of all things caprese. Does that make sense? 😉 Well, who would honestly say not to this beautiful big bowl of pasta? I’m just loving the big, bright photos in this post, G! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with for the caprese theme. 🙂 Have an awesome weekend, my friend! Pinning! xo

    Reply

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