Caprese Pasta Salad

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Rule #335: Keep it light and delicious.

Caprese Pasta Salad is a simple, light, and refreshing little side dish that pairs with so many of your favorite main dishes. It’s full of flavor and easy on the eyes. There’s just something about that red, green, and white that makes my tummy go yippity-yes!

Caprese Pasta Salad

I think the favorite part of this little number would have to be the homemade vinaigrette. It’s so simple yet so full of flavor. Plus, it’s super light and won’t leave your pasta all heavy and mayonnaise-y.

Caprese Pasta Salad side

Like I said, my favorite part of this Caprese Pasta Salad is the homemade vinaigrette. I like to whip mine up in a little ole mason jar for easy shakin’ and pourin’. To make the dressing, combine 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, a pinch of white sugar, 1/2 tsp. oregano leaves, 1 tsp. Kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper. Put the top on your mason jar and give ‘er a shake, or combine everything in a bowl and whisk until combined.

caprese vinaigrette

Next, in a large bowl, combine 1 lb. of cooked rotini pasta and a pint of cherry tomatoes, halved.

cooked rotini tomatoes

Then pour on your homemade vinaigrette and give everything a delightful lil’ toss. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour to get all those flavors to get along.

toss to combine

After 1 hour of chilling, toss in your delicious mozzarella pearls or just chop up some mozzarella yourself.

add mozzarella

Next, sprinkle on a good handful of beautiful chopped basil.

add fresh basil

I like to give a little sprinkle of pepper on top for a little added flavor and sassy touch.

side Caprese Pasta Salad

Can a pasta salad be sassy? Oh, I think so.

recipe Caprese Pasta Salad

Just look at all those gorgeous colors. If it’s this pretty, it’s gotta taste good, right?

Caprese Pasta Salad easy

Serving Suggestions

Grilled chicken or steak

Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Pizza Meatballs

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Shrimp

Winey Lemon Chicken

Roasted Chicken with Goat Cheese and Lemon

Crispy Dijon Chicken

Cauliflower Parmesan

Lemon Boiled Shrimp with Honey Mustard

simple Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad is light, delicious side dish that pairs well with oh-so-many things! It comes together in minutes and can last in the fridge for days! Caprese Pasta Salad | Caprese Pasta Salad Recipes | Caprese Pasta Salad Dressing | Caprese Pasta Salad Recipes Cold | Pasta Salad Recipes | Pasta Salad | Pasta Salad Recipese Cold | Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing | Pasta Salad Dressing Recipe | Pasta Salads Cold | Pasta Salad Recipes Italian | Pasta Salad Recipes Healthy | Pastas

Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad is light, delicious side dish that pairs well with oh-so-many things! It comes together in minutes and can last in the fridge for days!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 10
Calories 335 kcal

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 1 lb. rotini pasta fusilli, bowtie, or macaroni work well, too
  • Pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 8 oz. mozzarella pearls or 8 oz. chopped fresh mozzarella
  • Handful of chopped fresh basil for garnish

Dressing

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • Pinch white sugar
  • ½ tsp. oregano leaves
  • 1 tsp. Kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

To Make the Salad

  • Bring a large pot of heavily-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and rinse.
  • In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes and cooked pasta. Drizzle on the dressing, cover, and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
  • Then, toss in your mozzarella pearls and garnish with fresh basil.

To Make the Dressing

  • Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and shake together or whisk together in a medium bowl until combined.

Notes

Caprese Pasta Salad can be made ahead of time (minus basil garnish) and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Garnish with basil at the time of serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 335kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 11gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 337mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 158IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 129mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary, and Pineapple House Rules makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Keyword BLT Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, chicken sausage pasta, side dish
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