Caprese Pasta Salad – the perfect refreshing side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, picnics and parties. Best of all, it’s easy to make with the classic caprese flavors and a homemade balsamic dressing. Plus recipe video.
Updated from recipe originally posted in 2015
With summer just around the corner, you can never go wrong with having an arsenal of easy side dishes and salads on hand.
A few favorites we make again and again are: Chicken Caesar, Greek Tortellini, Broccoli Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad and this Caprese Pasta Salad.
They’re so versatile and always a hit at potlucks and cookouts.
Plus you can’t beat how easy and simple they are to throw together. They keep well in the fridge so you can make them in advance. Just prep all the ingredients and toss everything together on the day of.
This Caprese Pasta Salad is a summertime favorite. To me, it’s the perfect combination of flavors, textures, and freshness.
How to make this Caprese Pasta Salad
- small pasta shells (I usually use (Ditalini or Orecchiette – use gluten free as needed)
- cherry / grape tomatoes
- mozzarella
- fresh basil
Toss all that together with your favorite pasta and balsamic vinegar and you get a great tasting side dish that takes no time at all!
I love throwing in some color to my salads so I tossed in some blueberries I had sitting in my fridge. It adds a touch of sweetness but free to leave it out if you don’t have any on hand.
This Caprese Pasta Salad is a light, refreshing and delicious side with ingredients that just scream summer.
MAKE AHEAD TIPS FOR THIS CAPRESE PASTA SALAD AND SUNDAY MEAL PREP
- cook the pasta ahead of time and store in a large zip-top bag in the fridge
- wash and slice the tomatoes in advance and store in an airtight container or large zip-top bag in the fridge
- make the dressing in advance and store in an resealable jar
- for Sunday Meal prep, divide the pasta salad into lunchboxes – this is my favorite lunch container. Or make all four pasta salads and bring a different one to work every day.
More side dishes:
Did you try this recipe?
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice -
Caprese anything is a favorite of mine, especially when it’s in the form of pasta. This salad looks AMAZING, Kelly! Caprese pasta salad is one of my go-to summer favorites! I’m loving how bring and flavorful this is. I have no doubt this would be the hit of all those summer gatherings!
Johnna -
Beautiful side dish! We love anything caprese!
Eva @ Eva Bakes -
I cannot get enough of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes in the summertime. What a great way to incorporate those ingredients in this divine pasta!
Monica -
Looks delicious – I can’t wait to get my hands on fresh Jersey summer tomatoes but I often buy grape ones, which are widely available and great for salads like this all year round. The blueberries are a great surprise. I’ve been thinking I need to get my hands on some blueberries. Thanks for the inspirations!
Angie@Angie's Recipes -
Love the vibrant bright colour and the summer flavour! YUM!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction -
I can’t get enough of the caprese combination in the summer!
Juliana -
Great looking pasta salad Kelly…yes, this is indeed perfect as a side dish for any summer occasion.
Have a wonderful rest of the week 🙂
Katherine -
Caprese salad is so yummy! I need to check out that Greek Tortellini salad too. Sounds good!
marcie -
I’ll eat caprese flavors any way they’re served up and I LOVE this pasta salad! This is what summer is all about and this would be a hit at any gathering!
Emma -
I love anything Caprese Kelly and this pasta salad is just perfect 🙂
Albert -
I could actually eat this as a main dish! I just love this caprese pasta salad so much! and that balsamic vinaigrette…this is beyond bliss