In the event you want a fast summer season aspect dish that everybody will rave about, this Caprese pasta salad is it. It’s recent, flavorful, and made with only a handful of straightforward substances.
Caprese salad is a type of basic combos I by no means get bored with—particularly when tomatoes are at their peak in the summertime. Turning it right into a pasta salad? Even higher.
It’s recent, flavorful, comes collectively in underneath half-hour and is made with only a handful of straightforward substances, which makes it good for simple entertaining or a laid-back lunch.
My entire household loves this one, so I make it on repeat through the summer season months—for cookouts, picnics, or simply as a tasty salad we are able to pair with protein for a fast lunch or dinner. I normally toss in grilled hen to spice up the protein and make it extra filling.
Searching for extra summer season cookout-friendly dishes? You’ll love my pesto pasta salad or Greek pasta salad too!
Elements Wanted
You solely want a number of recent, flavorful substances to carry this summery pasta salad collectively:
- rotini pasta – I like how the twists of rotini maintain onto all of the dressing and little bits of basil. Be happy to make use of one other brief pasta form if that’s what you could have available.
- cherry tomatoes – juicy, candy, and the right measurement for pasta salad. Slice them in half or quarter them in the event that they’re on the larger aspect.
- mozzarella balls – creamy and mushy, these little mozzarella balls add richness to each chew. I like halving them in order that they go a bit of additional.
- child arugula or spinach – provides a pop of inexperienced and a bit of peppery chew. Both works nice right here.
- recent basil – that is what offers the salad that signature caprese really feel. Chop it up simply earlier than including so it stays good and vibrant.
- sea salt and black pepper – season to style to carry all of the flavors to life.
- dressing – we’re utilizing a easy selfmade dressing made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, dijon mustard, and garlic. It’s fast to mix and provides a lot taste.
Simple Substitutions
- Pasta: I used rotini, however any brief pasta like bowties or penne would work right here. I’ve additionally made this recipe earlier than with chickpea pasta for a high-protein, gluten-free choice, so that may additionally work.
- Dressing: This balsamic French dressing is straightforward and recent, however should you’re brief on time you should use a store-bought model. Simply search for one with minimal substances and no added sugar. Primal Kitchen or Tessemae’s are nice choices.
How you can Make Caprese Pasta Salad
This salad comes collectively in underneath half-hour for a fast aspect or lunch choice. Right here’s how you can make it:
Step 1: Add all of the dressing substances to a blender and mix till clean and mixed.
Step 2: Prepare dinner the pasta in accordance with the bundle directions till al dente. Drain and switch to a big mixing bowl to chill barely.
Step 3: As soon as the pasta has cooled, add the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, arugula, and recent basil to the bowl.
Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to mix. Style and season with further salt and pepper, if wanted.
Brittany’s Recipe Ideas!
Only a few suggestions to assist your caprese pasta salad prove completely each time:
- Prepare dinner your pasta excellent: Go for al dente so it doesn’t flip to mush as soon as it’s dressed and chilled. I all the time style a chunk earlier than draining. If it’s agency however tender, you’re good to go.
- Salt your pasta water: That is your one likelihood to season the pasta itself. I’m speaking a beneficiant pinch right here, don’t skip it!
- Add the basil simply earlier than serving: Recent basil bruises simply, so I prefer to tear it up and toss it in proper on the finish to maintain it vivid and aromatic.
Serving Ideas
This caprese pasta salad is tremendous versatile and works nicely for all the things from yard BBQs to straightforward weekday lunches. You may serve it as a refreshing aspect dish or flip it right into a satisfying major by including your favourite protein.
Attempt pairing it with grilled hen, salmon, or shrimp for a full meal. You may serve the protein on the aspect or chop it up and blend it proper into the pasta salad for a extra filling choice. Listed below are a few of my go-to pairings:
How you can Retailer
This caprese pasta salad is finest loved recent, but it surely additionally shops nicely. Simply place any leftovers in an hermetic container and refrigerate for as much as 3-4 days. If you recognize you’ll be storing it, wait so as to add the basil and cheese till simply earlier than serving to maintain all the things vibrant and recent.
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Often Requested Questions
Sure! This recipe is nice for meal prep. Simply prep all the things a day upfront and retailer it within the fridge. For the most effective texture and presentation, stir within the mozzarella balls and recent basil proper earlier than serving.
Quick pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, or bowties work finest as a result of they maintain the dressing and mix-ins nicely. Entire wheat or gluten-free pasta will also be used—simply make sure to prepare dinner it al dente so it doesn’t get mushy after sitting.
It’s meant to be served chilly or at room temperature. In the event you’ve simply cooked the pasta, make certain it’s absolutely cooled earlier than tossing with the opposite substances to maintain the cheese from melting.
Extra Pasta Salad Recipes
Make sure you try all the pasta salad recipes in addition to the total assortment of salad recipes on EBF!