Caprese Pasta Salad (Printer-friendly)

Fresh pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and a zesty balsamic dressing.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.5 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
02 - 1 tsp salt (for boiling water)

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 8.8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small clove garlic, minced
05 - 1 oz fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Cheese

06 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained and halved

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
10 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
11 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - Combine halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and torn basil leaves in a large salad bowl.
03 - Incorporate mozzarella balls into the salad bowl with the vegetables and herbs.
04 - Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
05 - Add cooled pasta to the salad bowl. Pour dressing over and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance the flavors.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes and tastes even better if you let it sit, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests.
  • The balsamic-honey dressing creates this unexpected sweet-tart magic that feels way fancier than the three minutes it takes to whisk together.
  • You can eat it straight from the bowl, pack it for lunch, or serve it at a gathering without anyone guessing how effortless it was.
02 -
  • Never skip the step of rinsing the pasta in cold water—hot pasta will wilt the basil and start melting the mozzarella before you want it to.
  • If you're making this ahead, hold off on adding the basil and cheese until just before serving, otherwise the basil darkens and the cheese gets weepy.
03 -
  • If your tomatoes are mealy or flavorless, let them come to room temperature for an hour before using them—temperature affects how much flavor you can taste.
  • A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes added to the dressing gives you a warm undertone that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
Go back