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5.0 from 24 votes

Caprese Pasta Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing

This fast and easy Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is coated in a light, creamy balsamic and olive oil dressing. A great vegetarian weeknight dinner, or add grilled chicken to make it more hearty.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 576 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. rotini pasta or other shape
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cut into cubes
  • 1 pint Cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil cut into thin ribbons (chiffonade)
  • kosher salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • Extra balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and black pepper for serving (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook pasta according to directions in salted water. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Shake off as much excess water as possible.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (2 tablespoons), balsamic vinegar (2 tablespoons), olive oil (1/4 cup), and kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
  3. Add the drained and cooled pasta, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil to the bowl with the dressing. Stir to coat.
  4. Drizzle with more olive oil and balsamic and top with fresh cracked pepper before serving, if desired.

Notes

  • Make ahead instructions: This pasta salad can be made in advance up to 24 hours, however, the salt will draw out some of the liquid from the tomatoes, making it a bit more watery, and make the basil a little soggy. If you make it in advance, I suggest adding the tomatoes and basil just before serving.
  • Make it a meal: For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken to the pasta salad, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
  • The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.

Nutrition Information

Calories 576kcal (29%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Cholesterol 48mg (16%) Sodium 419mg (17%) Potassium 436mg (12%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1041IU (21%) Vitamin C 27mg (30%) Calcium 314mg (31%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 576

% Daily Value*

Calories 576kcal 29%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 48mg 16%
Sodium 419mg 17%
Potassium 436mg 9%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1041IU 21%
Vitamin C 27mg 30%
Calcium 314mg 31%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.