Best Easy Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy caprese pasta salad has tender spiral pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil in a sweet-tart balsamic dressing. It is summer in a bowl and perfect for any cookout.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz fusilli or rotini pasta
Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 small garlic clove grated
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Salad
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes halved, plus more for garnish
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls or halved cocktail bocconcini
- ½ cup fresh basil torn, plus more for garnish
Instructions
Cook and cool the pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it well, until it tastes like seawater (I use 3 quarts water plus 2 tbsp kosher salt). Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once early.
- Drain the pasta and spread it on a baking sheet to cool. Do not rinse it. Let it cool 10 to 15 minutes, tossing once or twice, until room temperature and dry to the touch.
Make the dressing
- Whisk the olive oil, balsamic, Dijon, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until slightly thickened and emulsified (no longer separated).
Combine and rest
- Add the cooled pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to a large bowl. Pour most of the dressing over and toss until everything is coated.
- Let sit 15 to 20 minutes so the pasta absorbs the dressing. Toss in the rest of the dressing just before serving. Taste, adjust salt, and top with extra tomatoes and basil.
Video
Notes
Make ahead: If making in advance, leave the tomatoes whole so they do not get mushy, but add an extra cup of tomatoes so they spread evenly into the pasta. Add the basil at the last minute and toss again before serving. Let the salad stand at room temp for 15 minutes so it's not fridge-cold when served.
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days. Drizzle with olive oil or balsamic to refresh before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 400IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 1mg