5 from 34 votes
Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad combines cooked bow tie pasta with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and chopped basil, dressed in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, and basil pesto. Chilling for a short time melds the flavors, creating a fresh, herbaceous pasta salad with creamy cheese and bright tomato bites.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
536 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Salad, Appetizer
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb bow tie pasta
- 1 1/2 cups fresh mozzarella cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cup cherry tomato cut in halves
- 1 cup basil fresh
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup basil pesto homemade or store bought
Instructions
- Cook bow tie pasta according to the packaging. Rinse with cold water and drizzle with a little olive oil. Stir well to prevent sticking. Place the cooked pasta in a large bowl.
- Add the mozzarella and tomatoes to the pasta.
- Chop the basil leaves and add them to the pasta salad.
- Mix the ingredients gently using a spoon.
- Add the olive oil, garlic and pesto to the salad. Mix well.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve cold.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can substitute any short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or macaroni as available.
- Use homemade or store-bought pesto depending on preference.
- Adjust mozzarella quantity or substitute mozzarella pearls to change texture.
- For a stronger pesto flavor, add more pesto to the salad.
- If you prefer, omit pesto and use a balsamic vinaigrette made from balsamic glaze, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Add a bit more olive oil if the salad appears dry after mixing.
Nutrition Information
Calories
536kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
61g
(20%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
24g
(37%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
24mg
(8%)
Sodium
379mg
(16%)
Potassium
316mg
(7%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
1060IU
(21%)
Vitamin C
13mg
(14%)
Calcium
206mg
(21%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 536
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 536kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 61g | 20% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 379mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 316mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1060IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 206mg | 21% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.