This Italian Caprese Pasta Salad with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil is a summer salad that is sure pleasure! It is light, cool loaded with Italian flavors. This cold pasta recipe comes together with salami and pasta, all ingredients tossed in delicious, tangy Italian dressing. It’s a wow as a potluck side dish and a perfect lunch to pack in a lunchbox.
Italian Caprese Pasta Salad Is a Keeper!
The summer season brings sweet, fragrant, and full of vibrant flavor of tomatoes and basil, which are at their absolute best. I love using these two fresh ingredients, where their freshness can really shine in recipes.
That classic summer feeling is quite like a Caprese salad to me and even feels more tempting. This Italian Caprese Pasta Salad takes the beloved combination of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. It pairs it with tender pasta and the salty, savory addition of salami, making it hearty enough to be served as a main dish.
The dressing comes together in just minutes, just by whisking, which has an herbaceous flavor from the Italian seasoning blend. Red wine vinegar and fresh lemon juice add a bright, tangy element that beautifully balances the rich mozzarella and salami flavour. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes gives the whole dish a delicate-satisfying kick.
This pasta salad is also incredibly easy to customize; you can add more veggies, swap the meat, or adjust the heat according to your liking. These brilliant ingredient options make it perfect for picnics, potlucks, and casual summer gatherings. So, it is convenient to store for a few days, it is also great for make-ahead meals or effortless weeknight dinners. Enjoy this fresh, flavorful Italian Caprese Pasta Salad all summer long for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
This Italian Caprese Pasta Salad is:
- Bright & delicious: The delicious Italian dressing adds tanginess to the salad and ties everything together.
- Satisfying: Salami in pasta adds protein to this dish, making it balanced enough for lunch or dinner.
- Make-ahead friendly: This Italian caprese pasta salad keeps well in the fridge, which makes it an ideal meal for gatherings.
- Customizable: This pasta salad is easy to adjust the flavors to your preference, adding olives and artichoke hearts makes it more sustainable.
Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I am listing everything you’ll need to make this Caprese pasta salad. The exact quantities are also mentioned with the ingredients.
- Pasta (1 pound): Rotini and penne are always my go-to choices for pasta salads because their twists and grooves help to cling to the dressing and seasonings. But feel free to use any pasta, even gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Fresh Mozzarella (8 ounces): I used mozzarella “pearls”, which are tiny and perfect to toss. You can use either plain mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or marinated ones for this recipe.
- Red Onion (1/2 small) chopped: Raw red onions are milder than other types; they are ideal for salads where it’s eaten raw without overpowering the taste.
- Cherry Tomatoes (4 cups): For this recipe, cherry or grape tomatoes are perfect to use; they’re naturally sweet, bite-sized, and hold their shape well. You can use other larger tomatoes, too, but extra chopping and removing the seeds is required.
- Salami (4 ounces): I used classic salami, but pepperoni is another great option. If you don’t eat pork, substitute it with turkey pepperoni.
- Olive Oil (3/4 cup): I always prefer using extra virgin olive oil in pasta recipes; it adds bold flavor and makes up a big part of the dressing.
- Lemon Juice (1/4 cup): Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always the best for the brightest flavor.
- Italian Seasoning (2 teaspoons): This pantry staple is typically a combination of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram for an herbal kick.
- Red Pepper Flakes (1 teaspoon): This ingredient you can adjust according to your spice comfort level.
How to Make Italian Caprese Pasta Salad
Step-by-step Instructions
Gather and prep all your ingredients before starting.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over a high flame and cook the pasta until just past the al dente stage.
Drain the pasta, cool it under cold running water, then drizzle with a little olive oil and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
In a separate small bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients together until the mixture emulsifies. Taste and adjust the seasoning or acidity as desired.
Add the remaining salad ingredients to the large bowl of pasta, pour the dressing over the tomato basil mozzarella pasta salad, and toss everything together until well combined.
Done! Serve right away.
Finish with fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan. Enjoy!
Expert Tip
For most Italian pasta dishes, it is advised not to rinse cooked pasta, but for pasta salad, it is important to rinse it under cool water. The starchiness can cause pasta to stick together. Rinsing stops the cooking process, which helps the pasta to stay at that perfect just-al-dente texture that works best for pasta salads.
Money-Saving Tip:
Fresh mozzarella is the classic choice for a Caprese-style salad, but regular block mozzarella (cubes) works at about half the cost. You may feel a slightly change in flavor and texture, but it is still delicious and keeps your budget happy.
What to Serve with Caprese Pasta Salad
Serve this pasta salad with any protein or with a piece of sourdough bread. Here are some of my favorites:
- Prime Rib
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Lemon Chicken
- Meatloaf
- Chicken Kiev
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Italian caprese pasta salad stores well in the fridge, which makes the leftovers perfect for easy meal prep. In fact, flavour melds even better the next day.
Make-Ahead: You can keep the pasta, veggies, and dressing separately for up to 3 days. Toss everything together at the time of serving and finish with freshly chopped basil for the best flavor. If the leftover salad is already dressed, keep it in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Freezing: I never recommend freezing cold pasta salads, as they can’t keep their texture.
Why should you cook pasta for pasta salad past the al dente stage?
Pasta keeps its texture and turns chewy as it cools, so for pasta salad, cook it just past al dente. It helps in keeping the texture soft and pleasant without letting it get mushy.
Can this Caprese Salad Pasta Salad be made ahead of time?
Yes! You can absolutely make this pasta salad ahead of time. Prep the meal and refrigerate all the salad ingredients separately, then right before serving, add the dressing and toss together.
What pasta goes with Caprese salad?
From pesto tortellini salad to garlic butter spaghetti, pasta and Italian Caprese are always a winning combination. Add grilled shrimp or roasted veggies, and you’ve got an effortless, delicious dinner.
Enjoy this bright, flavorful Italian Caprese Pasta Salad all summer long! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! If you like this salad, you’ll find more try-worthy delicious pasta salads, like:
Homemade Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
