Caprese Pasta Salad

March 27, 2023

super easy

A delightful twist on the classic Caprese Salad, featuring a blend of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and aromatic basil leaves, tossed with pasta, all beautifully coated in a delectable homemade pesto dressing.

What is Caprese Pasta Salad?

This dish takes all the refreshing flavors of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil from the original Caprese Salad and tosses them with pasta for a satisfying and filling dish. It’s a perfect choice for warm summer days, picnics, and potlucks!

Ingredients for Caprese Pasta Salad

Now, let’s dive into the ingredients that make up this irresistible salad!

For the Pesto Dressing:

– Fresh Basil Leaves

– Garlic Cloves

– Pine Nuts

– Extra Virgin Olive Oil

– Fresh Parmesan Cheese

– Salt & Pepper

– Lemon Juice

For the Salad:

– Pasta: Go for your favorite shape, whether it’s penne, fusilli, or even bowties!

– Mozzarella Cheese: Look for the kind that comes in little balls or pearls; they add extra creaminess and fun to the salad!

– Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes work wonderfully, but you can also chop up some vine-ripened tomatoes if you prefer

– Basil Leaves: What’s a Caprese Salad without the basil leaves? These will bring a burst of herbaceous aromatic goodness!

– Balsamic Glaze (optional): For another level of flavor, drizzle some balsamic glaze on top when serving!

What to serve with Caprese Salad?

– Green Salad: If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, serve your pasta salad alongside a crisp green salad with a zingy lemon vinaigrette. The contrast between the coolness of the pasta salad and the brightness of the greens will create a nice balance of flavors to your plate.

– Garlic Bread: Pair this salad with some classic garlic bread or these Cheesy Garlic Rolls. The garlicky goodness will add a savory touch alongside the tender pasta.

– Grilled Chicken or Shrimp: If you’re planning a larger meal, this pasta salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or shrimp. The juicy proteins complement the flavors of the salad and turn it into a substantial main course.

No Reviews

Ingredients

Adjust Servings

	1 lb Fusilli Pasta, cooked
	1cup Mozzarella Pearls
	2 cups Cherry Tomatoes, halved
	½ cup Basil Leaves, freshly chopped
	Balsamic glaze (optional)

For Pesto Dressing:

	2 cups Basil Leaves, fresh
	3 Garlic Cloves
	¼ cup Pine Nuts
	⅓ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
	⅔ cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
	Salt & Pepper, to taste
	Lemon Juice, to taste

Directions

1.

Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Mark as complete

2.

Make the Pesto Dressing

In a blender or food processor, blend together the basil leaves, garlic cloves, and pine nuts until combined. Slowly, drizzle in the oil. Stir in parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and salt.

Mark as complete

3.

Assemble the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled fusilli pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves. Pour the pesto dressing over the salad and gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated.

Mark as complete

4.

Chill + Serve

Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. For optimal flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to marry together. Serve chilled and garnish with a few fresh basil leaves on top and drizzle with balsamic glaze

Mark as complete