Colorful Caprese Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Bright Caprese-style pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and a zesty balsamic dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 ounces short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)

→ Vegetables & Dairy

02 - 7 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved (preferably mixed colors)
03 - 4.5 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
04 - 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small cucumber, seeded and diced
06 - 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
02 - Place cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, diced yellow bell pepper, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and torn basil in a large salad bowl.
03 - In a small mixing bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until combined.
04 - Pour dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until evenly coated.
05 - Chill the salad for 15 minutes before serving for enhanced flavor, or serve immediately if preferred.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Tossing in the mozzarella balls while everything’s still slightly warm gives them irresistible creaminess.
  • The salad bursts with color and flavor, and somehow always disappears first at gatherings.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the pasta, residual heat will make the basil wilt and the cheese lose its shape.
  • Letting the salad sit for just a few minutes before serving helps the flavors mingle—it’s always more delicious after a little wait.
03 -
  • Toast a handful of pine nuts (or pumpkin seeds) and scatter them on at the last minute for nutty crunch.
  • Buy the freshest mozzarella you can find; it will make all the difference in taste and texture.

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