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A colorful bowl of Caprese Pasta Salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil

Caprese Pasta Salad

A refreshing and vibrant summer dish that combines pasta with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a tangy balsamic dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Fresh Ingredients
  • 8 oz pasta (fusilli or penne)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls, halved
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to boil.
  2. Add your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente.
  3. Once done, drain the pasta and allow it to cool completely.
Mixing Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves.
Making the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Combining and Serving
  1. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and gently toss everything together until well coated.
  2. You can serve your salad right away or refrigerate it for up to an hour.

Notes

This salad can be enhanced by adding grilled chicken, artichokes, or olives. For richer flavor, consider roasting the cherry tomatoes beforehand. Ideal for meal prep, lasts in the fridge for 3–5 days.