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    Home » Recipes » pasta

    Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto

    First Published: July 15, 2021 . Last Modified: May 6, 2024 lisa17 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto is a refreshing and cool side dish that celebrates all the wonderful flavors of summer. Fresh tomatoes and basil are paired with creamy mozzarella cheese for a tasty bow tie pasta salad that everyone will love.

    A big bowl of bow tie pasta salad with pesto

    Why I love Caprese Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad is the perfect dish for all my barbecues. It's super easy to make with fresh ingredients and everyone loves it. This side dish is made in advance and ready to serve when you need it. This is the best caprese pasta salad recipe and makes a lot but the leftovers are excellent. It also works as a vegetarian entree and complete meal for anyone that prefers none of the grilled hot dogs and hamburgers that I sometimes make with it.

    Ingredients needed for caprese pasta salad with pesto

    Ingredients Needed

    • Pasta - I love a hearty farfalle (bowtie) pasta for this salad. You could also use a short pasta like penne, ziti or even rotini pasta.
    • Jarred or prepared pesto - While homemade basil pesto is great, the grocery store has plenty of jarred brands that are perfect for quick cooking. Don't be afraid to use store-bought pesto. 
    • Tomatoes- I love grape tomatoes. These juicy tomatoes are small in size and this keeps them from getting soggy or wilted. You can use large ripe tomatoes also but make sure to cut into bite size pieces and add them right before serving this great side dish. 
    • Mozzarella Cheese - The creaminess of fresh mozzarella is my preference but use your favorite cheese. You can also use small fresh mozzarella balls.
    • Olive oil - A good extra virgin olive oil works well.
    • Vinegar - I typically use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar. A red or white balsamic vinegar is also tasty in this simple recipe. 
    • Kosher Salt and black pepper - to taste.
    • Fresh basil leaves - Optional but I love using it especially for freshness and a garnish. It really can provide that extra flavor to elevate your dish.

    Instructions

    1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water.
    2. Rinse with cold water in a colander when cooked.
    3. Add the tender pasta to a large bowl then mix in pesto sauce, grape tomatoes and cheese.
    4. Add a splash of oil and vinegar so that the pasta salad is moist.
    5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    6. Mix together well and chill for two hours before serving.
    7. Makes 6 main course pasta dish servings but serves up to 12 as a perfect side dish.

    See recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and full instructions. 

    Farfalle pasta (bow tie pasta) is perfect for making pasta salad.

    What is Farfalle Pasta?

    Farfalle is the Italian word for butterflies. Farfalle pasta salad is often made with this butterfly or bow-tie shape. This pasta originated in northern Italy and is often covered with sauce. Since it's a hearty pasta, it is also often used in salads because it holds up well with other ingredients. Farfalle comes in large and small sizes so you can choose whichever size bowtie pasta works best for you.

    Tips for making Caprese Pasta Salad

    • Cook pasta al dente (very slightly undercooked) as you don't want a mushy pasta salad.
    • Pasta salad can be made ahead but I like to add the tomatoes and fresh basil right before serving.
    • If the pesto pasta salad is made in advance, freshen it up with a drizzle of oil and vinegar.
    • This pasta recipe is great the next day! Make sure to store in an airtight container. It keeps well for 2-3 days in the fridge. 

    More Pasta with Pesto Recipes

    • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Sun-dried Tomatoes & Peas
    • Pesto Tortellini Skewers
    • Chicken Pesto Gnocchi Recipe
    • Soba Noodle Stir Fry with Pesto from Healthy Taste of Life

    Serving Suggestions

    This Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad is one of my favorite cold pasta salads and it can also be served at room temperature. It is a great recipe for summer potlucks or a light lunch. I sometimes add grilled chicken to it and make it a full meal.  It goes great with these main dish recipes:    

    • Grilled Flat Iron Steak
    • Air Fryer Chicken Legs
    • Chicken Cutlets with Broccoli Rabe & Sun Dried Tomatoes
    • Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
    • Oven Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast

    Farfalle pasta salad is a wonderful side dish but you can also pair it with a glass of wine and some fruit for a full meal that's perfect for summer.

    Perfect for dinner, a potluck, or a backyard barbecue! Caprese pasta salad with pesto is simple to make and tastes like something you'd find in a fancy Italian restaurant. You only need about 20 minutes to mix up this bow tie pasta salad and since it's served cold, it's perfect for making ahead. This pasta salad with pesto makes a great summer side dish or light meal. Click here to get the farfalle pasta salad with pesto recipe.

    If you like this bow tie pasta salad, please leave a 5-star rating.

    RECIPE

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 5 votes

    Pesto Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Tomatoes

    The perfect main course or side dish that celebrates the flavors of summer.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    chilling time2 hours hrs
    Total Time2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course: pasta
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 538kcal

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz. box of bow tie pasta
    • 4 oz pesto sauce ½ of a jar
    • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
    • 12 oz mozzarella cheese cubed into 1 inch pieces
    • a splash of olive oil
    • a splash of balsamic vinegar
    • salt and pepper to taste fresh basil for garnish

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water.
    • Rinse with cool water in a colander when cooked.
    • Mix in pesto sauce, grape tomatoes and cheese.
    • Add a splash of oil and vinegar so that the pasta salad is moist.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Mix together well and chill for two hours before serving.
    • Makes 6 main course servings but serves up to 12 as a side dish.

    Notes

    Recipe Tips
    • Cook pasta al dente (very slightly undercooked) as you don't want a mushy pasta salad.
    • Pasta salad can be made ahead but I like to add the tomatoes and fresh basil right before serving.
    • If the pesto pasta salad is made in advance, freshen it up with a drizzle of oil and vinegar.
    • This pasta recipe is great the next day! Make sure to store in an airtight container. It keeps well for 2-3 days in the fridge. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 399mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1421IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 341mg | Iron: 2mg

    Thanks for stopping by! Subscribe to Jersey Girl Cooks if you would like more recipes and cooking tips sent to your email. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stacey Snacks

      May 31, 2011 at 9:53 pm

      Looks delish!

      Reply
    2. teresa

      June 01, 2011 at 3:48 pm

      gorgeous! i'm in love with this salad!

      Reply
    3. Leslie

      June 01, 2011 at 8:44 pm

      What a fresh and delicious pasta! Love it Lisa

      Reply
    4. Sippity Sup

      June 01, 2011 at 10:01 pm

      Colorful and delicious! GREG

      Reply
    5. Cookin' Canuck

      June 02, 2011 at 12:03 am

      This is the kind of pasta salad I could eat all day. Love it!

      Reply
    6. Patsyk

      June 02, 2011 at 8:39 am

      Looks fantastic! I love pasta salads like this... they are so refreshing!

      Reply
    7. Lana @ Never Enough Thyme

      June 02, 2011 at 9:49 am

      I love pasta salads and I haven't made one in quite a long time. Sounds like a good choice for dinner tonight!

      Reply
    8. Charlie @ SweetSaltySpicy

      June 03, 2011 at 3:11 pm

      This pasta salad looks amazing! I love anything with pesto ;).

      Reply
    9. That Girl

      June 04, 2011 at 1:44 am

      Pasta salad is a great meal for a crowd.

      Reply
    10. Aggie

      June 05, 2011 at 9:17 am

      perfect summer pasta salad! I love the pesto part! So easy to put together!

      Reply
    11. Ramona

      June 06, 2011 at 4:22 pm

      A great looking pasta salad.

      Reply
    12. Cu

      June 29, 2011 at 2:20 pm

      My favorite combo of flavors. It just screams summer!

      Reply
    13. Michelle

      July 28, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fresh and delicious way to enjoy pasta in the summer time! It was simple to make and it will be on rotation again soon!

      Reply
    14. Jessie

      July 28, 2021 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love this salad!! I made this over the weekend and have been eating left overs this week.

      Reply
    15. Pam

      July 28, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      We have fresh basil and tomatoes in the garden right now so the timing is perfect!

      Reply
    16. Biana

      July 28, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect summer colors! I like that you combined Caprese and pesto, will be perfect with some grilled chicken.

      Reply
    17. Sara Welch

      July 28, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      Not only was this super quick and easy, but it was absolutely delicious! Easily, a new favorite recipe in my home; my whole family loved it!

      Reply

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