Making this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe takes your taste buds to a whole other country! The perfect combination of pasta, fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil that has been topped with an olive oil dressing will soon become a favorite in your home.
Also included in this post is a Recipe Round Up. I’ve joined a fun group of bloggers to put together a roundup of recipes on the first day of every month. This month we’re sharing Easy Summer Pasta Salad Recipes.
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
During my trip to Italy, I fell in love with the simple yet flavorful caprese dishes. The ripe plum tomatoes bring just enough acidity to balance out the rich creamy buffalo mozzarella and bright basil flavor. Some variations, like this caprese salad, have an olive oil and lemon dressing while others feature a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Both are equally delicious and will quickly become favorites in your menu plan.
This recipe was inspired by one I viewed on a cooking show. It looked and sounded so delicious, I knew I would have to recreate it for my family. I wasn’t disappointed, and as quickly as the meal disappeared, I know my family wasn’t either. This is one pasta dish that will be made by me on a regular basis.
How to make the best Pasta Caprese
Fresh and quality ingredients are a must for making this amazing pasta dish. Buying freshly made Buffalo Mozzarella is, of course, the best option. However, any good quality mozzarella will work well in this recipe.
Vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil make the flavors pop in this pasta. If you are able to find fresh made pasta, it, of course, would be preferred. Any high-quality penne pasta does work, as long as cooked to a perfect al dente texture.
Note: In the recipe below, you will see that I mention freezing the mozzarella. This is to ensure it doesn’t get too chewy when added to the hot pasta.
How to Serve this Pasta Caprese Salad
This recipe is meant to be served warm. It can easily be made into a complete meal with a larger portion. You could also add in grilled chicken breast, or even grilled shrimp for more protein if preferred.
I find that this is a great option to make at the last minute on a busy weeknight. While the pasta is cooking, I can simply chop the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil to mix into the pasta right before serving. It truly is a fast and easy meal.
More Caprese Recipes
Ever since I discovered the delicious caprese flavors, I have tried to incorporate them into many other meals. From the Caprese Ravioli to the Chicken Caprese Burger, this is a flavor profile that never disappoints.
Pasta Caprese
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 teaspoon fresh lemon juice see note above
- 1 small garlic clove -- minced about ½ teaspoon
- 1 small shallot -- minced fine about 2 tablespoons
- Table salt and ground black pepper
- 1 ½ lbs ripe tomatoes -- cored seeded, and cut into
- ½- inch dice
- 12 ounce fresh mozzarella cheese -- cut into ½-inch cubes see note
- 1 lbs penne pasta or other short tubular or curly pasta such as fusilli or campanelle
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil I didn't have fresh and used dried
- 1 teaspoon sugar see note
Instructions
- Whisk oil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, garlic, shallot, ½ teaspoon salt,and ¼ teaspoon pepper together in large bowl. Add tomatoes and gentlytoss to combine; set aside. Do not marinate tomatoes for longer than 45 minutes.
- While tomatoes are marinating, place mozzarella on plate and freeze until slightly firm, about 10 minutes.
- Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in stockpot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta, stir to separate, and cook until al dente. Drain well.
- Add pasta and mozzarellato tomato mixture and gently toss to combine. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in basil; adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice or sugar, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Summer Salad Recipes You’ll Like:
Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad
Chipotle Chicken Pasta Salad
Tuna Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad
Pasta Caprese Salad
Orzo Pasta Salad with Summer Vegetables
Broccoli Pasta Salad
Chicken Taco Pasta Salad
If you love caprese a much as my family, then I know you too will enjoy this simple caprese on a stick appetizer recipe or a classic Caprese Salad,
Pin It:
2pots2cook
Absolutely our kind of dish for hot summer days ! Thank you so much !
Carol
What a great summer salad-and the perfect home for garden fresh tomatoes and basil.
Bec
This is the type of pasta salad that is PERFECT for summer dinners. It’s a must-make, Barb – officially on my summer menu rotation!!
Dana McCauley
Nothing like the classics to make meal time easy and delicious!
Veronica
That looks delicious…that’s my favorite Italian dish-I’ll have to give your recipe a try.
Barbara Bakes
Thanks for the great comments. I should have mentioned that my husband and I went to Italy for our 30th wedding anniversary! I definitely am a lucky girl!
Jacque
Oooh, lucky you getting to go to Italy! I love caprese too, although I didn’t know what it was called.
Your pasta sounds wonderful.
Jenny
Beautiful, simple and delicious! Love it!
*Priscilla*
this pasta looks really good…italy really sounds like a fun place!
Lisa magicsprinkles
So simple and so fresh! This is like a summer day in a dish.
The Blonde Duck
It looks good to me!
Pam
Simple ingredients make the best meals. This pasta dish looks amazing.
Maria
I went to Italy a couple of years ago and fell in love. I need to get back there again. The pasta looks perfect!
HoneyB
Sounds and looks delicious Barbara!
Tami
My mouth is watering looking at this picture. This looks so good! I will definitely file this one until we can get some good, ripe tomatoes. YUM!
Lisa
I love this pasta salad and make it for many summer barbecues.
Aggie
Oh how I loooove caprese! I would love this pasta too! Doesn’t get any better than tomatoes, mozz and basil! Looks delish!
Lorraine E
This looks wonderful and yet so simply. I’ve heard the best Italian food is simple but using the best ingredients!
Mindy
This looks wonderful. I will have to give it a try.
How great the you got to go to Italy!