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Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe

This Caprese Pasta Salad brings together pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil for a bright and easy meal.It comes together quickly and tastes great cold from the fridge.
Perfect for warm weeknights, lunches, or taking along to a picnic.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 405

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cavatappi pasta
  • cup extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup grated pecorino cheese plus ¼ cup shaved
  • 2 garlic cloves grated
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup mini mozzarella balls halved
  • ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • Heaping 1 cup fresh basil leaves torn, plus more for garnish

Method
 

  1. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta following the package directions, just a touch past al dente.
  2. Drain, drizzle a little olive oil on the pasta to keep it from sticking, and spread it on a sheet pan or large plate so it cools down.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, grated pecorino, garlic, salt, and a few turns of black pepper.
    Ingredients
  4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and toss it gently so every piece gets coated.
  5. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, and basil. Toss again.
    Stir in the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, and basil. Toss again.
  6. Add the shaved pecorino and give it a light toss one last time.
    Add the shaved pecorino and give it a light toss one last time.
  7. Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, top with more basil, and serve.
    Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, top with more basil, and serve.