Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad: fresh ripe tomatoes, fresh little balls of mozzarella cheese and of course, basil. But I change the dressing.
I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve changed this recipe a little bit over the years.
It’s still the same flavors; fresh ripe tomatoes, fresh little balls of mozzarella cheese and of course, basil. But I change the dressing.
Originally, it had this thin vinaigrette you’d pour over it, but you’d end up with a lot of it left over or at the bottom of the bowl. So not cool. That always did kind of bug me. Since starting my blog I’ve discovered the magic that happens when you make a vinaigrette in a food processor or high speed blender. The end result? A creamy luscious dressing that covers salad like ranch dressing does but minus any dairy. Like zilch. Why didn’t I use this instead when I first made this salad? I have no idea. But I do have a separate post for my house balsamic vinaigrette and you can see the process unfold and nab the recipe here.
So I swapped out that old balsamic vinaigrette and sub’d in my favorite creamy yet cream-less house balsamic dressing ever. I fell in love with how it clings to the pasta, mozz and tomatoes like a dream and that it still had the perfect flavor to compliment all of the ingredients. And it definitely doesn’t sink to the bottom of the bowl. Score!
So the other day I decided to redo my caprese pasta salad. New photos, updated recipe and new blog post. Sometimes a recipe needs a make over, ya know? And to print or check out the new and improve Caprese Pasta Salad recipe just click on over to here. I think you’ll love the new recipe!
Enjoy! And if you give this Caprese Pasta Salad recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
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Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours! (
I love any variation of caprese salad. I’ve eaten an abundance of tomatoes and basil already this summer! I tend to shy away from pasta salads in the summer to keep my carb count on the low side, but hey! All things in moderation, right? This would be a great dish to bring to a BBQ for a lot of people!
simplyscratch replied: — July 22nd, 2013 @ 7:03 pm
I agree! Today I had the leftovers with a ton of grilled chicken and it was AMAZING! But you’re right all things in moderation… especially when it comes to carbs {and chocolate} 😉
Caprese pasta is the best, but I love your noodles you choose and the cute itty bitty mozzarella balls! I have never seen those before, but now I need them! Looks so good!
Love this so much! All the fresh flavors here are coming to my kitchen soon!!
simplyscratch replied: — July 22nd, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
Thanks Cathy! I love tomato and basil together and could eat them together every single day! 🙂
Beautiful, gorgeous, and everything in between!!
Please teach me your herb-growing ways because my basil has decided to turn on me and die a slow death. #sadtimes However, that won’t stop me from making this magical looking pasta salad. Yum!!
simplyscratch replied: — July 22nd, 2013 @ 1:29 pm
Well… apparently you have to water them 😉 but other than that, I have no idea. 🙂
OMG!! I love those little mozzarella balls. And kudos for you on growing herbs. The hubs has the green thumb in our household. Show me your ways!!!
simplyscratch replied: — July 22nd, 2013 @ 1:33 pm
I was calling them mozz-balls all day… it was fun. I honestly have no idea why they’re still alive… I think Pat has been tending to them behind my back!
I love anything caprese, this salad looks so good!
simplyscratch replied: — July 22nd, 2013 @ 6:52 pm
Me TOO Laura!! If only it worked as a dessert…
I need this salad in my life right now! Just curious, what garlic press do you use? I’ve been on the hunt for a good one for awhile now…
Definitely all of my favorite savory flavors of summer too Laurie! This pasta salad looks amazing. And so pretty too!
This salad looks absolutely delicious. So fresh and summery. Love it!
I love these flavors, especially this time of year. Looks fab, Laurie!
You read my mind, lovely Laurie! This is killer. I cannot get enough caprese this time of year!
You truly can’t go wrong with caprese anything, add in pasta and turn it into a perfect summer pasta salad…. good gracious, woman. YUM! This is a gorgeous recipe for the tummy and the eyes!
Gorgeous salad and I’m craving that vinaigrette!!
This pasta salad literally screams “SUMMER”!
How am I just now learning that mozzarella pearls exist! I will not stop until I find them 😛 haha
This pasta salad looks incredible and I love that you used fresh basil from your garden!
simplyscratch replied: — July 23rd, 2013 @ 1:49 pm
I just found them when I was reaching for a ball of fresh mozz… and fell in love!
This salad looks wonderful. It has several of my favorite ingredients. Thanks.
simplyscratch replied: — July 23rd, 2013 @ 1:43 pm
Thanks you Chole… thanks for stopping by 🙂
Well aren’t’ those just the cutest little balls of deliciousness!?! love this salad…nom nom nom
simplyscratch replied: — July 23rd, 2013 @ 1:41 pm
Haha! I know! I found them at Meijer Sheila… so many possibilities with these babies!
Love these ingredients mixed with pasta! And the more basil, the better! Great post, I’d love for lunch today!
simplyscratch replied: — July 23rd, 2013 @ 1:50 pm
Me too Sandy! I love love love fresh basil!
I want this for lunch right now – so good! Love the balsamic!
Such a great summer BBQ side dish 🙂
Love all of the fresh summer flavors!
Love this! Such a fabulous recipe for summer!
simplyscratch replied: — July 24th, 2013 @ 10:27 am
Thanks Katrina 🙂
This is my second visit to your blog and I must compliment you again on the pictures. They just look amazing. They paint such a lovely and appetizing picture.
My wife and I just love salads, especially with pasta, although she has to do her own as she is gluten free
This is the best caprese salad EVER! The addition of the orecchiette pasta is genius. I made it tonight for dinner, and it was sooo good! I love all of your posts and have made so many of the recipes. Thank you for another winner! 🙂
Yummm! I am on SUCH a caprese kick lately, and this looks like perfection!
LOVE this pasta salad!! Caprese is a fav for sure! What a great idea!
Really fabulous! I made the full recipe for just one and loved having something quick to add to a piece of chicken or pork later in the week! 1 dinner and 3 lunched later I give this a huge thumbs up!
This was delicious! I loved the twist on a traditional caprese salad plus it was super cute with the mozzarella pearls and orrechiette pasta. I used the Cherub Cherry Tomatoes and they really made the dish along with the fresh basil. I will definitely be making this again, thanks for sharing the recipe!
simplyscratch replied: — August 13th, 2013 @ 8:15 pm
Hi Ashley! Thank you for coming back and leaving a comment! I’m so glad you liked this pasta salad, it’s such a yummy summer dish! 🙂
This was delicious and super easy! I’ve easily packed two lunches for myself to bring to work (yay!) but I think the portion of the vinaigrette was a lot like you indicated. I dumped half of the vinaigrette into my pasta and found it to be a little too overwhelming oops… So for those who like lighter salads, I would say use the vinaigrette sparingly! Don’t go with a heavy hand like me but I will definitely be making this again.
I just made this and I’m eating it right now. It is so good! Right up my alley. I love the garlic in the dressing – a perfect compliment. My 14-month-old loves the fresh mozzarella. He keeps making the more sign in sign language like crazy. This is going into my favorite recipes archives. Thanks for sharing!
I just joined pinterest yesterday and wanted this to be the first recipe i tried to make. I was very happy with how it turned out, i ended up using a premade balsamic and cut up the mozzarella in into “mozza-balls” as best as i could. When mixing together I added salt, pepper, and garlic powder and it was great!! Can’t wait to try something new tomorrow 🙂
Laurie McNamara replied: — March 16th, 2014 @ 7:52 pm
Hi Amy! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, It’s my all time favorite spring/summer salad!
looks seriously amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Question- no Dijon in the vinegarette?
Laurie McNamara replied: — April 11th, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
nope! 🙂
I made a half recipe of this yesterday. I put all of the dressing on it and it made it look like a mushroom salad! It tasted good, but did not look appealing. A light basaltic vinegar might help that look. I also added some red onion to give it a little crunch/pizazz. Next time I would marinate the rest of the ingredients in the dressing and add the pasta last. You may want to consider using mushrooms instead of pasta and go gluten free!
Hi! This looks so yummy! I want to make it for a tennis match tomorrow. Do you think it would be ok to make tonight and let it sit in the fridge overnight? Or, is it best served freshly made? Thanks for sharing 🙂
Laurie McNamara replied: — June 10th, 2014 @ 1:42 pm
Hi Stacey! I’m sorry I missed getting back to you! I would definitely keep the dressing off of the salad until ready to serve. 🙂
Hi I’ve just made this pasta salad for 20 people for my kids sports day picnic tomorrow and am so pleased with how it turned out!! I was asked to make a pasta salad and went online and found your recipe, thank you so much for coming up with it. I did put balsamic vinegar on it already so it does have a slightly darkened colour but tastes great, especially with the garlic, and I added lots of freshly ground pepper too! thanks so much once again – this recipe really helped me out!!
OMG! Sounds delicious … yet went to make it and the pasta you suggested did nothing but clump up together into one hard mass … gonna have to start over using a different pasta …. grrrrrrrr 🙁
Loved the taste! The appearance after adding the balsamic vinegar dressing was nothing like your picture. Mine was dark and looked unappealing.
Terrific, tasty, go back for seconds pasta salad! It was so easy to make! I needed something for a potluck dinner and found this recipe. I made a double batch. I used pipe rigate pasta because that’s what I had. Everything was cut to the same size as the pasta…grape tomatoes cut into quarters, cherry sized mozzarella cut into quarters. I prepared everything the day before and mixed it together about an hour before the party. People were coming back for seconds and thirds! When you need something good to have at home or bring to a party this is an easy, delicious recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Have made your Caprese Pasta Salad twice now. The first time, my older son ate almost the whole salad!Was glad he left me some so I could try it. The second time my whole family of 4 had some and all where very pleased! Thank-You for an easy and taste meal!!!
This looks delicious! There is something so satisfying about those mozzarella balls fitting perfectly into the pasta.
This salad looks amazing! I’m planning to double or triple it up for a party on Friday. Do you recommend making this a day ahead, or is it not a good idea? I’d like it to look as pretty as your pictures! Do you have any tips for slicing the basil without bruising? Thank you so much for this awesome recipe.
I cant find orichiette pasta? What do u suggest for substitute?
Laurie McNamara replied: — July 22nd, 2016 @ 9:56 am
Hi Debbie! Any medium pasta should work, maybe ditalini or small shells?
I loved the simplicity and freshness of your Caprese Pasta Salad. Thanks for the tip about the Mozzarella Pearls. I love it!!!! May I ask what brand balsamic vinegar you used. The sauce came out dark and so it made the pasta look brownish. I like the way your salad looks in the photo….light and pretty. Do you have any suggestions how I can make the dressing look lighter (clear not brown)? Thanks :).
Laurie McNamara replied: — August 17th, 2016 @ 11:17 am
Hi April! I’ve recently updated the recipe and photos, and I think that the updated vinaigrette recipe I use now really helps with ugly and overly brown look. Here’s the link (I actually just posted it today) and wanted to circle back and make sure you see it. <3 http://www.simplyscratch.com/2016/08/caprese-pasta-salad-2.html
My kids love the old recipe with thinner dressing but I can’t remember it. Can you send it to me? Thanks so much!
Laurie McNamara replied: — September 30th, 2016 @ 5:14 pm
Hi Ruth! Absolutely! It’s so easy: combine 2 cloves of garlic (finely minced or squeezed through a garlic press) and 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar. Whisk while pouring in 3 tablespoons olive oil.
Can you make this a day ahead?
I just came to look at this recipe again (I’ve made it multiple times and love it) and realized you changed the dressing! I’m always up for new things, but I really did like the old one. How to I get that recipe back?
Laurie McNamara replied: — February 10th, 2019 @ 10:12 pm
Hi Stephanie! The original recipe is still there in the post/printable 🙂 but here it is: combine 2 cloves of garlic (finely minced or squeezed through a garlic press) and 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar. Whisk while pouring in 3 tablespoons olive oil.