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+ servings
a bowl of pasta salad with tomatoes and basil.
5 from 1 vote

Caprese Pasta Salad

This caprese pasta salad is made with mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, pasta, and a simple balsamic dressing.
Prep 25 minutes
Cook 7 minutes
Total 32 minutes
Fat 176
Carbs 206
Protein 118
Yield 6

Ingredients

Salad

  • 8 oz. uncooked cavatappi pasta
  • 20 oz. cherry tomatoes halved
  • 16 oz. small mozzarella balls halved
  • 6-8 basil leaves roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 basil leaves minced
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta to the pot.
  • Cook the pasta until al dente, about 7-10 minutes. Strain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
  • Next, add the pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves into a large bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper over the ingredients and toss again. Set aside.
    Caprese Pasta Salad ingredients in a bowl.
  • Prepare the dressing and add the mayo, balsamic vinegar, mustard, garlic, basil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to a bowl and whisk the ingredients together.
    Dressing in a bowl
  • Continue to whisk the ingredients together and drizzle the olive oil into the dressing until smooth.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until all of the ingredients are coated in dressing.
    Caprese Pasta salad with dressing on top.
  • Eat immediately or place the salad in the refrigerator to chill.

Tips & Notes

  • You can use whatever fun pasta you would like.
  • We used aged balsamic vinegar, but regular balsamic vinegar would work as well.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 2812kcal | Carbohydrates: 206g | Protein: 118g | Fat: 176g | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 28g