Colorful Caprese Pasta Salad (Printable)
Bright Caprese-style pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and balsamic-olive dressing, ready in 25 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 10 oz short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or farfalle
→ Vegetables & Dairy
02 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved (preferably a mix of red, yellow, and orange)
03 - 4.5 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
04 - 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small cucumber, seeded and diced
06 - 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, and set aside.
02 - In a spacious salad bowl, gently combine the cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella halves, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and torn basil leaves.
03 - In a separate small bowl or a jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully blended.
04 - Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently using salad servers or large spoons to ensure all components are evenly coated.
05 - Refrigerate the assembled salad for 15 minutes before serving if preferred, or present immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- No one will guess how little effort went into something this gorgeous and craveable.
- This salad has become my go-to for easy entertaining because everyone can add their favorite extras.
02 -
- I once skipped rinsing the pasta, and the salad became gummy and clumped together—a quick rinse really does make all the difference.
- Letting the onion sit in cold water for a few minutes tames its bite and keeps the salad from overpowering the other flavors.
03 -
- Never toss the basil in too early—it wilts and loses its brightness fast.
- Whisking the vinaigrette until creamy makes it cling to every bite, not just pool at the bottom.