What are the ingredients of Caprese salad?

Traditional Caprese salad includes just a few fresh ingredients: ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella (typically buffalo or cow’s milk), fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, and often a splash of balsamic vinegar. In Caprese Pasta Salad, we add cooked pasta and a tangy vinaigrette to transform it into a hearty, portable dish.

What pasta goes well with Caprese salad?

Farfalle, rotini, penne, and orecchiette are top picks. These shapes hold vinaigrette well and mix evenly with mozzarella and tomatoes. Avoid long noodles like spaghetti or linguine, which don’t blend smoothly into the salad.

What are the five mistakes to avoid in pasta salad?

Overcooking the pasta Adding dressing while pasta is warm Forgetting to chill the salad Under-seasoning the dish Using low-quality or poorly textured ingredients Avoiding these mistakes keeps your pasta salad crisp, flavorful, and satisfying.

What dressing goes on Caprese pasta salad?

A balsamic vinaigrette is the most common and complements the dish’s Italian flavors. It usually includes olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also try creamy balsamic or pesto-based dressings for variety.

Caprese Pasta Salad: 5 Powerful Tips for Flavorful Success

Description

Fresh, herbaceous, and perfectly balanced Caprese Pasta Salad tossed in zesty vinaigrette. A picnic-perfect favorite!

Ingredients

½ pound dried pasta (farfalle or rotini) 8 oz mozzarella pearls or cubed fresh mozzarella 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved ¼ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced Salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water. 2. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, mozzarella, and halved tomatoes. 4. Pour vinaigrette over salad and gently toss to combine. 5. Fold in basil just before serving. Season with salt and pepper. Chill 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Add toasted pine nuts for crunch. Store dressing separately if prepping ahead. Best enjoyed within 24–36 hours.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Category: Salads
Method: No-cook
Cuisine: Italian-American