Caprese Pasta Salad – Plain Chicken

Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe – a fresh and easy summer side dish! Made with juicy tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and pasta tossed in a pesto dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dinner. Bursting with flavor and always a crowd-pleaser!

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Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Caprese pasta salad tastes like summer in a bowl—fresh, bright, and full of flavor. You get that juicy sweetness from the tomatoes, creamy bites of mozzarella, and the herby punch of basil all tossed with tender pasta and a pesto dressing. It’s light but still satisfying, with just enough richness from the cheese to keep you coming back for more. 

How to Make Caprese Pasta Salad

This side dish is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.

Whisk together pesto, mayonnaise, milk, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add cooked pasta, chopped tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil to the bowl and toss to coat—season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about an hour before serving. Garnish with more fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• You can use any short pasta that you enjoy – penne pasta, elbow macaroni, fusilli, or bowtie pasta all work great.
• I use grape or cherry tomatoes. You can use any type of tomato that you like.
• Can I make Caprese Pasta Salad ahead of time? Yes! I suggest reserving half of the dressing to toss with the pasta salad before serving.
• Variation/Additions:
  • red onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • garlic
  • avocado
  • corn
  • chopped zucchini
  • grilled chicken
  • grilled steak
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

What to Serve with Pasta Salad

Caprese pasta salad is light, fresh, and bursting with tomato, basil, and mozzarella goodness, so it makes the perfect partner for all your grilled favorites. 

• It’s especially great alongside chicken—grilled, baked, or even rotisserie—but it also holds up beautifully next to steaks, burgers, or Italian sausages. 
• The combo of juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil makes it a natural fit for Mediterranean-inspired meals—think garlic bread, marinated olives, or a big antipasto platter. 
• If you’re doing a picnic, barbecue, or potluck, it pairs perfectly with deviled eggs, fruit salad, or even a chilled rosé.
• It’s also a nice addition to a sandwich spread, like pressed paninis, turkey wraps, or even a big sub tray. 

It’s the kind of side that adds a bright pop of flavor to just about any spread.

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Caprese Pasta Salad

Yield: 8 people

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe – a fresh and easy summer side dish! Made with juicy tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and pasta tossed in a pesto dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dinner. Bursting with flavor and always a crowd-pleaser!

• 8 -oz fusilli pasta
• 2 cups grape tomatoes cut in half
• 1 (8-oz) package fresh mozzarella pearls
• ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
• ¼ cup basil pesto
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.

• Whisk together pesto, mayonnaise, milk, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice in a large bowl.

• Add cooked pasta, chopped tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil to the bowl and toss to coat – season with salt and black pepper to taste.

• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about an hour before serving. Garnish with more fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

• Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Steph