Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe (2024)

Published: Jun 16, 2023 · Modified: Aug 9, 2023 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil is absolute perfection!

Original post: February 2016 | Updated: June 2023

Why This Recipe Works

Caprese pesto pasta salad is one of those super easy recipes that gets rave reviews at any type of gathering and during any time of the year. I make this summer pasta salad a ton, even in the winter.

It sits in our fridge for lunches or snacks throughout the week. I also make it as a side dish, as well as bringing it to both summer and winter parties.

It is so super simple, requiring only a handful of main ingredients and it is off-the-charts delicious. It comes with a warning, though. Once you start eating it, you will not be able to stop.

The combination of tomatoes, fresh basil, Rotini pasta and fresh Mozzarella pearls is so deliciously perfect you will hardly be able to stand it. It is a great salad!

Recipe Ingredients

Pasta – Rotini or rotelle pastacooked to al dente is a great addition, but feel free to use other short pasta shapes such as bowtie pasta, elbow macaroni, tortellini or penne. Turn this into a gluten free salad by using gluten-free pasta!

Tomatoes– Use up to 2 cups fresh tomatoes (grape or cherry) for this recipe. Either way, take the time to cut each tomato in half for an easy-to-fork dish.

How To Make Caprese Salad With Pasta and Pesto

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a 16-ounce box of Rotini pasta. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.

Step 2

In a large salad bowl, combine the following ingredients:

Cooked Rotini pasta, cooked in a large pot of salted water until al dente, then drained and brought to room temperature
Grape or cherry tomatoes
Fresh mozzarella pearls
Chopped fresh basil
Pesto sauce
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Mix well, season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate until you are ready to serve this yummy salad!

What is Caprese

Caprese is a traditional Italian entree made from tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. These caprese flavors make an appearance in any recipe labeled as such.

Recipe Notes

If you’re looking for a non-pasta version of caprese salad, give this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad a try!
Keep this salad covered and in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days, so it is a great make-ahead dish.
Store the salad ingredients separately from the balsamic glaze/dressing in the fridge if you wish, before serving.
Sprinkle a thin layer of salt and black pepper, fresh parmesan cheese, fresh herbs and drizzle extra balsamic over the top of the salad just before serving.This makes a large bowl full of pasta salad, so feel free to cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch.
Add shredded or chopped grilled chicken for extra protein and to create a complete meal.
Squirt lemon juice over the top just before serving for a burst of freshness.
A thin layer of pine nuts sprinkled over top just before serving adds a nice crunchy texture.
This makes the perfect side dish, main dish, party food, picnic or dish for summer barbecues.

How Much Pasta Salad Per Person

When served as a party food or side dish, assume that each person will eat between 1/2 and 3/4 cup total. Twelve people can easily eat one batch of a typical pasta salad recipe.

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What To Serve With Pasta Salad

A variety of dishes pair well with pasta salad, including grilled or roasted vegetables, fruit, antipasto skewers and so much more.

How Long Does Pasta Salad Last

Pasta salad will stay fresh for up to 7 days in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container or in a bowl wrapped tightly with plastic wrap for best results.

Can You Freeze Pasta Salad

When pasta salad contains mayo and sour cream, they are not ideal for freezing. Cream-based ingredients will not separate entirely after being removed from the freezer and may have an undesirable texture.

Pasta salad made without these ingredients freeze really well when stored in an airtight container for up to 4 months.ingredients freeze really well when stored in an airtight container for up to 4 months.

Cold Pasta Salad Recipes

Best ever pasta salad is one of my favorite recipes of all time. It is packed full of delicious bites (think olives, salami, chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes!) and it is the perfect food to bring to potlucks.
If you love pickles dill pickle pasta salad is for YOU! It is creamy, flavorful and crunchy all in a single bite. This is a great, quick recipe to throw together for summer gatherings and potlucks. It’s a crowd pleaser!
Italian pasta salad is a delicious cold salad that can be made quickly, but that does not lack in flavor! It is packed with Italian seasonings, pasta, crisp veggies, fresh mozzarella, black olives and salami.
Easy classic macaroni salad is creamy, crunchy, filling and totally delicious! The simple dressing is made with mayo, mustard and apple cider vinegar with a few spices thrown in!
Mediterranean pasta salad – Fill your fork with an incredibly tasty salad that combines pasta with fresh, crisp vegetables and a light vinaigrette straight from the Mediterranean! This zesty salad will be a perfect addition to a summer BBQ.

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Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of Mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil is absolute perfection!

5 from 12 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 367kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

▢ 16 oz Rotini pasta cooked al dente, drained
▢ 8 oz tomatoes cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
▢ 8 oz mozzarella pearls
▢ 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
▢ 1/4 cup pesto
▢ 3 tbsp olive oil
▢ 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
▢ 1/2 tsp salt
▢ 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!
16 oz Rotini pasta, 8 oz tomatoes, 8 oz mozzarella pearls, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup pesto, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper

Notes

Pesto is easy to find at most grocery stores, but feel free to make your own pesto if you’re feeling adventurous. It is easy to make and soo delicious!
If you are unable to find fresh mozzarella balls (look in the specialty cheese section of your local grocery store), purchase a chunk of fresh mozzarella instead and cut it into 1/2-inch chunks.
Turn this into a gluten free salad by using gluten free pasta!
Keep this salad covered and in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days, so it is a great make-ahead dish.
Replace fresh basil with 1 tablespoon of dried basil in a pinch!
Sprinkle a thin layer of salt and black pepper over the top of the salad just before serving.
This makes a large bowl full of pasta salad, so feel free to cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch.
Add shredded or chopped grilled chicken for extra protein.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

FAQs

What 3 main ingredients in this recipe reflect the traditional caprese salad and the flag of Italy? ›

You'll have noticed, if you've ever eaten this tasty delicacy, that the colours of this salad reflect the Italian flag. Vibrant green basil, fresh white mozzarella and bright red tomatoes all come together to make this delicious, nutritious platter which evokes summer afternoons spent soaking up the Italian sunshine.

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Do you add pesto to hot or cold pasta? ›

It is better to mix your pesto to fresh boiled pasta, not for taste-reasons but for a rather practical issue: unseasoned pasta gets sticky when it cools down and you won't be able to mix it properly.
If you please to have your pasta with pesto cold, season it warm and let it then cool down.

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Aug 3, 2023

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What is caprese salad made of? ›

What is Caprese Salad? “Insalata Caprese” literally means “the salad of Capri” which is an Italian island. Caprese salad is typically made by layering slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil, then seasoned to perfection, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sometimes a balsamic glaze.

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How healthy is caprese salad? ›

Better yet, it's healthy, too! A serving of this caprese salad is just 83 calories, 3 grams of carbs, or 3 WW (Weight Watchers) Points.

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Why is Caprese salad so good? ›

The ripe tomatoes are packed with vitamins and nutrients, while the olive oil and fresh mozzarella cheese provide healthy fats and some protein. I love it for a healthy lunch idea!

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Why can you not reheat pesto? ›

The primary ingredients in pesto — basil and olive oil — are sensitive to heat. Basil can lose its vibrant color and fresh flavor when exposed to high temperatures, turning it a darker, more muted green. Olive oil can also lose some of its health benefits and can develop a bitter taste when heated excessively.

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Can you eat pesto straight from the jar? ›

Almost all the jarred pestos you find in the supermarket will have been pasteurised to not only ensure that they can last a long time unopened, but so they are perfectly safe to eat straight from the jar. There is no need to heat pesto, although too many people do.

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How much pesto should you add to pasta? ›

How Much Pesto To Add To Pasta?

Servings	Dried pasta	Pesto
1	75g	50g
2	150g	100g
3	225g	150g
4	300g	200g

6 more rows

Jun 1, 2022

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What pairs well with Caprese salad? ›

The hearty garlic chicken gnocchi pairs great with the light and fresh Caprese salad. This is a one-pot meal made with cream, chicken, Parmesan, wine, thyme, and a few other ingredients. Bruschetta is made with basil and fresh tomatoes which compliments the flavors of the classic Caprese salad!

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What is a good substitute for mozzarella in Caprese salad? ›

Extra Firm Tofu: tofu actually has a similar texture to mozzarella, so it's a great substitute. I used extra firm, because I always have it on hand. Firm or medium firm tofu would also work well.

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What is a fun fact about the Caprese salad? ›

The salad is named after the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. Two common stories about its origin include it being an homage to the Italian flag or "in the 20th century to appease the palates of vacationing royalty and important politicos".

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What ethnicity is caprese salad? ›

The caprese salad is a classic Italian dish that has gained popularity all over the world. The salad is made with fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella slices, basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, and is traditionally placed on a plate in a layered circular pattern.

Can you eat caprese salad as a meal? ›

Caprese Salad is terrific served as a side for sharing, as a light meal with crusty bread or piled onto toast with smashed avocado. Fresh and delightful! So I make my Caprese Salad with a vinaigrette for the main dressing then drizzle it with a balsamic glaze for an extra burst burst of flavour just before serving.

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Is caprese high in cholesterol? ›

Per serving: 250 calories (160 from fat), 18g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 25mg cholesterol, 540mg sodium, 9g carbohydrates (2g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 14g protein.

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What are the 3 categories of salad dressing explain each? ›

In Western culture, there are three basic types of salad dressing: Vinaigrette; Creamy dressings, usually based on mayonnaise or fermented milk products, such as yogurt, sour cream (crème fraîche, smetana), buttermilk; Cooked dressings, which resemble creamy dressings, but are usually thickened by adding egg yolks and ...

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What are the 3 types of salad according to how you will serve it? ›

Appetizer salads – light, smaller-portion salads served as the first course of the meal. Side salads – to accompany the main course as a side dish; examples include potato salad and coleslaw. Main course salads – usually containing a portion of one or more high-protein foods, such as eggs, legumes, or cheese.

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What is the main ingredient of salad that creates the salads identity? ›

Leafy greens such as romaine, Bibb, Boston, or iceberg lettuce. Main ingredient of a salad make up its body. It creates the salad's identity and often gives the salad its name.

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What is the origin of the Caprese salad? ›

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