Whether you call this Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad or Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad, this salad is sure to be a hit! This pasta salad is loaded with your favorite pasta noodles, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella and tossed in the best tasty pesto! It’s such an easy dish and perfect for anytime of the year!
Why I love this recipe for Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad
This Caprese pasta salad is filled with ripe grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and cool mozzarella tossed in a pesto vinaigrette. It can be drizzled with a tangy balsamic glaze. It combines your favorite flavors of a fresh, summertime Caprese salad for a familiar backyard BBQ pasta salad. This is the ultimate summer potluck salad.
RELATED: Feta Bruschetta Pasta Salad
What you’ll need to make this easy summer pasta salad
This salad is so simple and has only 8 ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store!
- Pasta (I like rotini, but you can use any kind you prefer)
- Basil pesto(either homemade or prepared)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Mozzarella pearls
- Cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- Fresh basil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the full list of ingredients, and the printable recipe, be sure to check out the recipe card below.
How to make pesto caprese pasta salad
A salad
Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, and garlic.
Step 3: To the large bowl, add the pasta and toss to coat in the pesto dressing.
Step 4: Into the pasta, fold in the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Season with salt and black pepper as desired.
Serve immediately or chill in fridge until ready to serve.
Make this Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad, then check out my Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad, Roasted Asparagus Caesar Salad, and Vegetarian Mexican Inspired Pasta Salad and more of my summer salad recipes.
Other pasta salad recipes to try
- Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad – delicious and easy, this Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad is packed with fresh summer vegetables like fresh seasonal corn, radishes, zucchini, heirloom tomatoes straight from the Farmer’s Market or even from your garden – it’s coated with a simple dressing, making a tasty side dish.
- Vegetarian Mexican Inspired Pasta Salad – ender pasta is combined with Mexican-inspired flavors that’s loaded with corn, black beans, tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, and a creamy lime dressing for a perfect summer time salad, great for barbecues, picnics, grilled meats or fish and more!
- Greek Pasta Salad – out of all the pasta salads to have in your recipe box, this is one of the best to wow a crowd! Cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, onion and feta cheese are mixed with pasta and drizzled with a homemade Greek salad dressing to create this colorful and appetizing pasta salad!
- Creamy Ranch BLT Pasta Salad – The perfect fresh side dish for any potluck, this Creamy Ranch BLT Pasta Salad not only has juicy cherry tomatoes, chopped bacon, and —you guessed it—crisp romaine, but is made even better by a lightened up greek yogurt ranch dressing.
☀️ Celebrate Summer with this easy salad!
Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad
This delightful Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad boasts a combination of bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Imagine a harmonious blend of succulent chicken infused with the smoky allure of chipotle seasoning. Picture a vibrant medley of strawberries and blueberries dancing with creamy avocado on a bed of crisp mixed greens. It’s the ultimate summer salad that will leave you craving for more!
Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Whether you call this Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad or Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad, this salad is sure to be a hit! This pasta salad is loaded with your favorite pasta noodles, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella and tossed in the best tasty pesto! It’s such an easy dish and perfect for anytime of the year!
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw rotini pasta
- ¼ cup prepared basil pesto
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, and garlic.
- To the large bowl, add the pasta and toss to coat in the pesto dressing.
- Into the pasta, fold in the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Season with salt and black pepper as desired.
If you loved this salad be sure to check out my Feta Bruschetta Pasta Salad!
Notes
For tips, substitutions, storage and serving info be sure to read the full Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad post.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 201Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 269mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 8g
The provided nutrition information is an estimate and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information.
Feel free to look through the rest of my recipes and if you can’t find the recipe you’re looking for let me know and I’ll do my best to create it for you.
👋 Hello there!
I’m Janice, and I LOVE salads!! I’m also passionate about cooking EASY, healthy meals. Join me as I share healthy and easy salad recipes and my family friendly recipes!
