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    Home » Appetizers & Sides

    Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad

    Published: May 4, 2017 / Updated: Aug 23, 2019 / 22 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This balsamic Caprese pasta salad is a light, quick, and simple vegetarian side dish that's perfect for picnics or BBQs.

    balsamic Caprese pasta salad in a white bowl beside cloth napkin

    This pasta salad has the delicious classic Caprese flavor combination of tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella, with balsamic vinegar and olive oil making up the dressing.

    It's a nice alternative to the many mayo-soaked pasta salads that typically make the rounds at summer events.

    close-up of easy Caprese pasta salad in a bowl

    I added some red onions and parsley in here for an extra burst of flavor, but other than that, this pasta salad is true to the traditional Caprese flavors. I call this pasta salad a side dish, but it would also work as an vegetarian main course too. 

    It's deliciously simple and does not need a ton of ingredients. 

    With that said, please DO adjust the dressing ingredients to your specifications - some will prefer more dressing, but I wrote this recipe with moderation in mind.

    The pasta does mute the flavors somewhat, so I found that giving this salad a little "bite" with the onion and balsamic vinegar definitely lifted it a notch.

    simple Caprese vegetarian pasta salad in a bowl

    I'm all about quick and fresh warm-weather meals these days. We're finally starting to see some warmer temperatures here! Hallelujah! Fussing around in the kitchen is best done when it's too cold to go outside - not when the patio is waiting! 😉 I have plenty more fresh spring/summer recipes coming in the next few months. In the meantime, it's time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors again! 🙂

    More Caprese recipes you can try:

    • Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad
    • Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
    • Healthy Caprese Skillet Lasagna
    • The Best Caprese Crostini

    bowl of easy Caprese pasta salad in a bowl with penne

    Love easy summer pasta salad recipes? You may also like my simple grilled chicken pasta salad, my Mexican street corn pasta salad, or my classic macaroni salad recipe.

    Have you made this tomato mozzarella basil pasta salad? I think you'll like it!

    Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about this Caprese pasta salad recipe!

    This balsamic caprese pasta salad is a fresh, quick, and simple vegetarian side dish that's perfect for picnics or BBQs.

    Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad

    A light and refreshing pasta salad with the classic Caprese flavors of basil, fresh mozza, and tomato. Tossed with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 cups uncooked penne
    • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella or Bocconcini (see note)
    • 1/2 small red onion chopped
    • Handful grape tomatoes halved
    • 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar or to taste
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or to taste
    • Large handful fresh basil torn
    • Fresh parsley chopped, to taste
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a salted pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.
    • Meanwhile, prep your other ingredients.
    • When the pasta is done, drain it and rinse it under cold water. Ensure it's properly drained again before adding it to a large bowl.
    • Add the mozzarella, onion, tomatoes, vinegar, oil, basil, parsley, and salt & pepper to the bowl. Gently toss it. Adjust vinegar, oil, and seasonings as needed depending on how much dressing you like. Chill for an hour or serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Serves 6+ as a side dish.
    • I bought an 8 ounce ball of fresh mozzarella and broke it into bite-sized pieces for the photos. You could also try those mini Bocconcini. I love the ones packed in oil & herbs. 
    • When I make this salad, I add extra balsamic vinegar and plenty of salt & pepper. I wrote this recipe with customization in mind. You have to play with the dressing to make it taste the way you like e.g. if you prefer more/stronger dressing.
    Keyword balsamic caprese pasta salad
    Author Natasha Bull
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    1. S.C. says

      July 10, 2022 at 1:56 PM

      When you say 4 cups of uncooked penne, do you mean 2 16 oz boxes of uncooked penne?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 10, 2022 at 5:25 PM

        Hi! For this I would have put the uncooked penne into a measuring cup. I think it could work out to less than 2x16 oz boxes (I can't remember offhand - this recipe is from 2017), so I would measure it out to be sure you don't end up with way too much pasta.

        Reply
    2. Karen McKeon says

      September 3, 2018 at 4:01 AM

      Can't wait to make it for our Labor Day get together.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 3, 2018 at 1:12 PM

        Hope you love it!!

        Reply
    3. Rita says

      July 28, 2018 at 10:14 AM

      I just made this salad for a summer lunch. We love caprese salad and was in the mood for pasta, so, I made this recipe. We enjoyed it very much! Couldn’t wait to taste it so we did not bother with refrigerating it for an hour. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 28, 2018 at 11:01 AM

        I'm so happy you liked it, Rita!! Thanks for letting me know.

        Reply
      • Patti says

        July 8, 2020 at 6:57 PM

        Delicious. I used garlic instead of onion.

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          July 9, 2020 at 8:33 AM

          So glad you enjoyed it!

          Reply
    4. Danielle says

      September 5, 2017 at 8:16 AM

      I wanted to love this recipe but it was terribly bland and I followed it to a T. It needed to much more balsamic and oil than this, and a lot of salt and pepper to make it have any flavor whatsoever.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 5, 2017 at 9:35 AM

        Hi Danielle, I'm sorry you didn't like it. Cooking (especially in recipes like these) is all about adjusting ingredients to you preferences. That's why I said "salt and pepper to taste" - there is quite a bit of pasta in here, so yes, it's expected that a fair amount is needed. I even mention in step 4 that you're going to need to adjust ingredients (including the vinegar) as needed. There's no way for me to come up with a recipe that will please everyone's taste buds unfortunately. When I make it I do add more balsamic and plenty of salt and pepper. Everyone I've made it for has loved it. Some people will like it with less dressing, so that's the way I wrote the recipe. You can always add more dressing, but you can't take it away. I will update the post to make it even more clear.

        Reply
    5. Dany says

      July 16, 2017 at 10:23 AM

      Can u make this the day before?
      Looks yummy

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 16, 2017 at 10:32 AM

        Thank you! That should be fine, but I would probably add the basil the day of unless you don't mind it going a little soggy. Hope you enjoy this recipe!!

        Reply
    6. Sain says

      May 10, 2017 at 5:34 AM

      5 stars
      Your husband is lucky,that's all.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 10, 2017 at 9:23 AM

        Thanks 🙂

        Reply
    7. Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says

      May 8, 2017 at 3:54 AM

      Sounds like the perfect BBQ addition!! I love a vinegar pasta salad...something so refreshing about that tang!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 8, 2017 at 1:14 PM

        Thanks, Lindsay!!

        Reply
    8. Rebecca says

      May 4, 2017 at 5:20 PM

      Looks wonderful!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 4, 2017 at 6:58 PM

        Thanks!!

        Reply
    9. Taylor @ The Girl on Bloor says

      May 4, 2017 at 10:53 AM

      OMG this looks like the perfect recipe for summer!!! It's lunchtime and you're absolutely torturing me!! Then again this looks easy enough to make in the next thirty minutes...hehehe

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 4, 2017 at 10:55 AM

        Haha thanks, Taylor. I am hungry too. It's almost lunchtime here and I'm meeting my husband for food today, and it can't come soon enough!

        Reply
    10. Natasha's Sister says

      May 4, 2017 at 8:46 AM

      Are you going to make this for our first picnic of the summer!?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 4, 2017 at 8:48 AM

        No.

        Reply

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