Name: Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 ounce box bow-tie pasta (medium size #66), cooked and drained; 8 ounce package fresh mozzarella pearls (mini mozzarella balls); 2 cups (1 ½ pints) grape tomatoes, halved; 1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped and divided; ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil; ⅛ cup balsamic vinegar; 3 tablespoons honey; 2 teaspoons grated garlic (about 2 cloves); 0.6 ounce packet Italian seasoning dressing mix; ½ cup balsamic vinegar; 3 tablespoons honey

Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like summer on a plate. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser that combines classic Italian ingredients with a sweet and tangy balsamic twist, perfect for picnics, BBQs, or just a simple weeknight dinner.

The image shows a close-up of a pasta salad featuring bowtie-shaped pasta as the main layer, cooked to a light yellow color with a slightly shiny texture. Mixed in throughout are bright red cherry tomatoes, some halved to show their seeds, adding vibrant color. Small white balls of mozzarella cheese are scattered evenly, creating a soft, smooth texture contrast. Finely chopped green basil leaves are sprinkled on top, adding fresh green touches across the dish. The pasta and ingredients are inside a white bowl with a subtle shine, resting on a white marbled surface. A silver spoon sits in the bowl, lifting some pasta, tomatoes, and mozzarella, highlighting the colors and textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe. Every time I make it, the fresh basil and mozzarella paired with that homemade balsamic dressing just hit the spot. It’s simple, yet feels special enough to bring to any gathering and impress without breaking a sweat.

Fresh & Flavorful: The combination of ripe grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil makes each bite refreshing and vibrant.
Easy to Prepare: It’s a straightforward recipe that doesn’t require fancy techniques or exotic ingredients.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether as a side dish or a light main, this salad fits in perfectly with summertime meals or potlucks.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after chilling for a couple of hours, so it’s ideal for prepping in advance.

The image shows a white plate filled with farfalle pasta mixed with bright red cherry tomatoes, small white mozzarella balls, and thin strips of green basil scattered on top. There is a light drizzle of dark balsamic glaze over the pasta. A spoon holds a serving of the pasta mixture close to the camera, showing the pasta’s bowtie shape and the fresh tomato halves and whole mozzarella balls in clear detail. In the background, a glass bowl with more pasta and tomatoes sits on a white marbled surface, along with a small glass jar of dark balsamic sauce and a spoon inside it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a key role in balancing flavor and texture here. My biggest tip? Always use the freshest basil and mozzarella you can find — it makes all the difference. And the pasta choice? Bow-tie or farfalle hold up great without getting mushy.

Flat lay of colorful grape tomatoes halved to show their juicy interiors, glossy fresh mozzarella pearls scattered gently, bright green fresh basil leaves and sprigs, perfectly cooked bow-tie pasta with a subtle sheen, a small glass jar of dark balsamic glaze with honey shimmering inside, golden honey droplets glistening nearby, and a few garlic cloves, all beautifully arranged with natural light highlighting their fresh textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Bow-tie (farfalle) pasta: The shape traps the dressing and ingredients perfectly, plus it cooks quickly and holds its texture.
Fresh mozzarella pearls: These bite-sized balls melt in your mouth and add creaminess to each forkful.
Grape tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, halving them releases their flavor wonderfully into the salad.
Fresh basil: Chopped fresh basil injects that unmistakable herbaceous freshness throughout.
Extra virgin olive oil: Use a good quality one to amplify the dressing’s richness.
Balsamic vinegar: Key for that perfect tangy base in both the dressing and the glaze.
Honey: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the acidity.
Garlic: Freshly grated garlic infuses a subtle bite without overpowering the salad.
Italian seasoning mix: This makes the seasoning effortless and consistent, but you can always tweak it to your taste.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe is that it’s like a blank canvas — you can easily customize it. For example, I love adding a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for crunch or swapping grape tomatoes for sun-dried if I want a deeper flavor edge.

Variation: I sometimes swap the mozzarella pearls for bocconcini, which are slightly bigger and creamier — it’s a little luxe but so worth it.
Diet-Friendly: To make it vegan, just leave out the cheese and toss in some chickpeas or grilled veggies for protein.
Seasonal Twist: In cooler months, roasted cherry tomatoes work beautifully instead of raw ones.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Perfectly

Start by boiling the bow-tie pasta according to the package instructions—usually around 10 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it; you want it tender but still with a slight bite. Drain it well and toss it into a large mixing bowl so it’s ready to absorb those lovely flavors.

Step 2: Whip Up the Balsamic Dressing

While your pasta is cooking, I like to mix together the balsamic dressing ingredients — olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, grated garlic, and that packet of Italian seasoning. Whisk everything well and pop it in the fridge to chill. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully by the time you’re ready to dress the salad.

Step 3: Assemble With Fresh Ingredients

Once the pasta has cooled a bit, add the halved grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and fresh chopped basil (save a little for garnish!). Pour in about half a cup of the balsamic dressing and gently toss it all so every piece gets coated.

Step 4: Chill and Let Flavors Marry

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 hours. This resting time is key — it lets the dressing soak in, melding the tangy and sweet elements with the fresh veggies.

Step 5: Make the Balsamic Glaze Garnish

While the salad chills, I love making the balsamic glaze to drizzle on top just before serving. Combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 15-20 minutes until it thickens and reduces by half. Let it cool completely—this glaze adds a gorgeous glossy finish and an extra hit of flavor.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining chopped basil over the salad and drizzle with your balsamic glaze. The salad looks stunning and tastes even better with that finishing touch.

Top Tip

Over the years cooking this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really bring it to life and keep it from getting soggy or bland after chilling.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: I always set my timer and check halfway through cooking so it stays al dente, because mushy pasta really dulls the freshness.
Dress Just Before Chilling: Toss the pasta salad with the dressing once the pasta is slightly cooled. Adding dressing too early when pasta is hot can make it mushy.
Balsamic Glaze Patience: Make sure to simmer the glaze slowly and patiently. Rushing this step can cause it to burn or become too thick to drizzle nicely.
Fresh Basil Last: Adding some basil as garnish right before serving keeps it bright and fragrant. Mixed in too early, basil can wilt and lose flavor.

How to Serve Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Caprese Pasta Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of finishing this salad with fresh chopped basil and a drizzle of that homemade balsamic glaze — it adds color, aroma, and an extra layer of flavor. For a touch of texture, sometimes I sprinkle some toasted pine nuts or even a little cracked black pepper.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, crusty garlic bread, or even alongside a chilled glass of rosé on a sunny day. I often bring it to BBQs where it complements smoky dishes perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try serving this Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe in a beautiful glass trifle bowl layered with fresh basil leaves artfully tucked throughout. Or arrange it on a large platter garnished with whole basil sprigs and extra mozzarella pearls for a festive table centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your Caprese Pasta Salad, pack any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate. From my experience, it stays fresh for up to 3 days, but I recommend eating it sooner rather than later to keep that fresh basil vibe.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad because the mozzarella texture and fresh vegetables don’t freeze well—your best bet is to make it fresh or enjoy leftovers within a few days.

Reheating

This pasta salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t really necessary. If you want to serve it slightly warmer, just take it out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta for the Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe?

Absolutely! While bow-tie or farfalle pasta is ideal for holding the dressing and flavors, you can use rotini, penne, or even macaroni. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy.

How far in advance can I prepare this salad?

I recommend assembling the salad and chilling it for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. You can prepare it up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, adding the balsamic glaze right before serving for the best taste and freshness.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for about 3 days. To keep basil from wilting, add an extra sprinkle of fresh leaves just before serving leftover portions.

Can I make the balsamic glaze without honey?

Yes, you can substitute honey with brown sugar or maple syrup if you prefer. The sweetener helps balance the acidity of the vinegar and create that rich glaze consistency, so make sure to use some form of sweetener for the best results.

Final Thoughts

This Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe is truly one of those dishes I find myself coming back to season after season, partly for its refreshing taste but also because it’s so reliable and easy to pull together. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s the kind of recipe that turns simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece. So grab some fresh basil, boil that pasta, and have fun with it—you’re going to love the results!