I am excited about my Caprese Salad For A Crowd. I combine tender penne pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, fresh bocconcini, and fragrant basil. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a touch of garlic, and a splash of balsamic vinegar create a dish perfectly balanced and bursting with flavor.

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I recently discovered this amazing twist on the classic Caprese salad that I just had to share. I mixed together 8 oz of my favorite pasta with a pint of juicy halved cherry tomatoes and halved fresh mozzarella balls, then tossed everything up with roughly torn basil leaves.

I add a simple drizzle of 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar along with two minced garlic cloves to really bring out the flavors. This salad works great when you need a light dinner for a crowd or a simple side dish for a picnic.

It’s one of those easy potluck recipes that can be made ahead and prepares quickly, making it a perfect side dish for a cookout. Trust me when I say this Caprese Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing twist that everyone at your next gathering will enjoy.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it has a great mix of fresh flavors that just explode in your mouth. I mean, the juicy cherry tomatoes and that mellow, melty mozzarella just blend perfectly with the basil and garlic dressing to give it a vibe that feels light and comforting.

I also appreciate how simple it is to put together. Even if you’re not a master chef, you can pull this off pretty easily and still impress your friends or family.

Another reason I dig this dish is that it’s super versatile. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature, which makes it a perfect side for a family dinner or even when you’re feeding a crowd.

Lastly, I love that the ingredients really let you feel like you’re eating summer. Even if it’s not summer, this recipe brings in that fresh, sunny taste that instantly lifts your mood.

Ingredients

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Pasta is a good source of carbs and energy, giving the salad its hearty base.
Cherry tomatoes add natural sweetness and tanginess, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.
Fresh mozzarella offers protein and creaminess, balancing flavors with its mild, milky taste.
Basil leaves deliver a refreshing herbal punch, accentuating the other ingredients simply.
Extra virgin olive oil adds healthy fats and smooth richness, making every bite better.
Balsamic vinegar gives a tangy, zesty kick, lifting and brightening the flavors.
Minced garlic infuses the salad with a savory, pungent warmth that lingers.
Salt and black pepper enhance all flavors, balancing the overall taste perfectly.

Ingredient Quantities

8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli work great)

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved if large

1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

How to Make this

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1. Boil the pasta in salted water until it’s al dente then drain and let it cool a bit.

2. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the halved cherry tomatoes, halved mozzarella balls, and the roughly torn basil leaves.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well blended.

4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss everything gently so that all the ingredients get coated evenly.

5. Taste the salad and add a little extra salt or pepper if you think it needs it.

6. Let the salad sit for around 10 minutes so the flavors can really marry together.

7. You can serve it chilled or let it sit at room temperature as a tasty side dish.

8. If you plan to save some for later, store in an airtight container in the fridge.

9. Enjoy this fresh and easy Caprese Pasta Salad with your family or guests.

10. If you want even more flavor, try adding a splash more balsamic vinegar before serving next time.

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot for boiling pasta
2. Colander for draining the pasta
3. Large bowl for mixing the pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil
4. Small bowl for whisking together the dressing ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons for the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings
6. Cutting board and knife for prepping the garlic (and any other ingredients if needed)
7. Serving spoon or tongs for gently tossing the salad in the large bowl
8. Airtight container for storing leftovers in the fridge

FAQ

Q: What type of pasta works best for this salad?

A: Penne or fusilli are perfect since they hold the sauce well and mix nicely with the other ingredients.

Q: Do I need to cut the mozzarella balls?

A: Only if they're large. If you're using small, bite-sized bocconcini, you can leave them whole.

Q: Can i swap cherry tomatoes for another kind?

A: You could but cherry tomatoes give a sweet burst of flavor. Using other tomatoes might change the taste and texture alot.

Q: How long should i let the pasta cool after cooking?

A: It's best to wait until the pasta is completely cooled to prevent the cheese and basil from wilting and losing their fresh flavor.

Q: How long will this salad stay fresh?

A: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it's best eaten within 2 days for the most flavor.

Best Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Pasta: Instead of penne or fusilli, you can use bow tie pasta or farfalle for a fun twist
Cherry Tomatoes: If you cant find them, grape tomatoes work pretty well in its place
Fresh Mozzarella: Try using diced regular mozzarella or even add a bit of crumbled feta if you like a tangy flavor
Fresh Basil: If basil isn’t available, chopped parsley can be a decent substitute
Balsamic Vinegar: You can swap it with red wine vinegar for a slightly different but still delicious taste

Pro Tips

1. When boiling pasta, make sure to add a good amount of salt to the water, cuz it really helps enhance the pasta’s flavor even before you mix in the other ingredients.
2. Try letting the dressing sit for a few minutes before pouring it over the salad so the garlic can mellow out a bit, preventin it from overpowering the other flavors.
3. If you’re planning to save some for later, leave a little extra olive oil in the salad. It helps keep the ingredients from drying out and the flavors stay fresher.
4. For an extra pop, drizzle a tiny bit more balsamic vinegar right before serving; it gives a slight tang that balances out the creaminess of the mozzarella.

Best Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

350

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot for boiling pasta
2. Colander for draining the pasta
3. Large bowl for mixing the pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil
4. Small bowl for whisking together the dressing ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons for the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings
6. Cutting board and knife for prepping the garlic (and any other ingredients if needed)
7. Serving spoon or tongs for gently tossing the salad in the large bowl
8. Airtight container for storing leftovers in the fridge

Ingredients

8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli work great)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved if large
1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Directions

Boil the pasta in salted water until it's al dente then drain and let it cool a bit.
In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the halved cherry tomatoes, halved mozzarella balls, and the roughly torn basil leaves.
In a small bowl, stir together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss everything gently so that all the ingredients get coated evenly.
Taste the salad and add a little extra salt or pepper if you think it needs it.
Let the salad sit for around 10 minutes so the flavors can really marry together.
You can serve it chilled or let it sit at room temperature as a tasty side dish.
If you plan to save some for later, store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Enjoy this fresh and easy Caprese Pasta Salad with your family or guests.
If you want even more flavor, try adding a splash more balsamic vinegar before serving next time.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.