This caprese pasta salad is a bow-tie pasta packed with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and pesto! The flavor combination is a delicious punch of fresh flavors perfect for summer.
Summer is all about fresh ingredients and light meals that are packed with flavor.
And what better way to enjoy the season than with a delicious caprese pasta salad?
This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for any summer meal, from lunch at the beach to dinner on the patio.
The salad can be served cold or at room temperature depending on your preference. You could even add a few slices of prosciutto for an added layer of flavor!
Serve this pasta salad as a side dish or garnish it with grilled chicken or shrimp for a main course that will surely impress.
Ingredients
The stars of our caprese salad include:
Bowtie Pasta: We used bowtie pasta, but you could substitute it for penne, farfalle or fusilli pasta as well.
Fresh corn: Adds a sweet crunch to the pasta which blends so well with the other flavors of the dish.
Pesto: Adds a bright, herby flavor to the pasta salad.
Fresh Basil: A key ingredient to any caprese dish.
Cherry tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes add a deliciously juicy crunch to your pasta.
Fresh Mozzarella: We used Ciliengine mozzarella, but you can use mozzarella pearls or simply cut fresh mozzarella into ½ inch cubes.
We also used:
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
To get started making this delicious caprese pasta, start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions. During the last 3 minutes add in your corn.
Drain the pasta and add it to a large mixing bowl. Add in the pesto, olive oil, lemon juice and fresh basil.
Toss the pasta all together with the rest of the ingredients to combine well and cover all of the pasta with the pesto.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls and gently stir. You can serve at room temperature, but I suggest letting the pasta salad sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to let all the flavors marry together.
Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy!
Substitutions & Variations
You can easily add or subtract from the caprese pasta recipe to fit your tastes or cravings. Some of our favorite ideas include:
- Adding freshly chopped chicken.
- Add cubed acacado
- Subtract the corn for a more simple dish
Storage
This salad is so delicious you probably won't end up with leftovers. However, it can easily be stored in a sealable container for up to three days in the fridge.
Recipe
Caprese Pasta Salad
This caprese pasta salad is light, fresh and packed full of flavor, everything you need for the perfect summer meal!
Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
- 3 Tbs pesto, homemade or store-bought
- 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ large lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped + more for garnish
- 2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz Fresh mozzarella
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add salt to boiling water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Add corn to pasta 3 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
- Drain pasta and add to a large mixing bowl. Add pesto, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh basil.
- Stir to combine and season with sea salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Add the tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld before serving.
- Top with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
Fresh mozzarella comes in many different sizes. We used Ciliegine mozzarella. Its roughly the size of cherry tomatoes. But if you can't find fresh mozzarella balls, you can break up fresh mozzarella into ½ inch cubes instead.
When it comes to summertime eating, caprese pasta salad is a must-try! It takes just minutes to make and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
The sweet tomatoes combined with creamy mozzarella and pesto are irresistible - and don’t forget that zesty basil flavor!
So grab some fresh ingredients and give this easy-to-make recipe a try today - your taste buds won't regret it!
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