Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Balsamic Glaze
A quick and easy Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and a tangy balsamic glaze. Perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh bocconcini or small mozzarella balls, drained
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic reduction or glaze
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
- Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or penne pasta and cook for 9-11 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
- While pasta cooks, halve 2 cups of cherry tomatoes and drain 8 ounces of bocconcini mozzarella balls. Roughly tear 1 cup of fresh basil leaves. Mince 2 cloves of garlic.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Let sit for a few minutes. Optionally add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Pour the olive oil and garlic dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. Toss briefly again.
- Transfer salad to a serving bowl or platter. Drizzle 1/4 cup balsamic glaze generously over the top.
- Let the salad rest for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld. Serve fresh or chilled.
Notes
Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Be gentle when tossing to avoid crushing tomatoes and mozzarella. Drizzle balsamic glaze just before serving for best presentation. Let salad rest 10 minutes for flavors to meld. Store leftovers in airtight container up to 2 days; add olive oil before serving again if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: Caprese pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, balsamic glaze, summer salad, easy pasta salad, Italian salad, mozzarella salad