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Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad

This Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe is the traditional Caprese salad in pasta form! Pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, basil, and tomatoes! This has fresh ingredients and is an easy pasta salad recipe for BBQs and potluck!

Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 3 3 cups dry orecchiette pasta, or other small pasta (or 4 1/2 cups cooked pasta)
  • 1/3 1/3 cup pesto, or more to taste
  • 2 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • 1/4 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, more to taste
  • 1 1/2 1 1/2 cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 1 1/2 cups small pearlini fresh mozzarella balls (or ciliegine cut in half)
  • 6 6 leaves fresh basil leaves, finely shredded
  • (optional) (optional) balsamic glaze

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook pasta al dente, about 8 minutes or according to the package directions; drain and cool.
  2. Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar in a large bowl. You can add more balsamic to taste but it will start to change the color of the dressing unless you are using white balsamic vinegar.
  3. Add pasta and toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil.
  4. Chill in the fridge until ready to eat. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.