By: Jill Mills Posted: May 21, 2026

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Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and pasta are tossed with a lemony vinaigrette in this Caprese Pasta Salad. Light, fresh, and super flavorful, it’s an easy side dish for grilled meats or to take to a potluck or picnic.

I love to play around with the flavors of classic caprese, especially during the summer when tomatoes are in season, and I’m craving light, fresh dishes. Some of my favorite ways to enjoy the mozzarella-tomato-basil combination are caprese bruschetta, caprese asparagus, and caprese chicken.

This caprese pasta salad is my newest iteration of those flavors, with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes tossed with pasta and a light lemon-y vinaigrette. It’s light, it’s flavorful, and it’s so easy to make. I love whipping this up as a side for grilled meats or taking it to potlucks and BBQs.

Why This Caprese Pasta Salad Is So Good

Fresh flavors. The main ingredients in this salad are cherry (or grape) tomatoes, julienned basil, and mozzarella. It’s the perfect salad to make in the summer when plump, juicy cherry tomatoes are in abundance and basil is thriving. The combination is so fresh and so good.
Homemade dressing. Because I wanted the caprese flavors themselves to pop, I kept the dressing very simple for this recipe. It’s made with oil, lemon juice, and a bit of red wine vinegar and garlic. The combination adds flavor to the pasta without overwhelming the tomatoes or basil.
Quick & easy. It takes less than 30 minutes to get this caprese pasta salad on the table. The dressing and other ingredients can be prepped while the pasta cooks, then all that’s left is dumping everything together. It can be enjoyed immediately or popped in the fridge for later.

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make caprese pasta salad

Ingredient Notes

Both the salad and the homemade dressing require just a few basic ingredients. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact measurements.

For the Salad

Pasta – I used cavatappi for this salad, but farfalle, fusilli, bowties, macaroni, orecchiette, penne or rotini pasta would work equally well.
Mozzarella pearls – You can also use the cherry-sized Ciliegine sliced in half.
Tomatoes – Grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half are the perfect size for the salad.
Basil – Be sure to use fresh basil that’s bright green and not browned or wilted for the best flavor.

For the Dressing

Olive oil – This is the base of the dressing, so be sure to use a quality olive oil that you enjoy the flavor of.
Lemon juice – Brings some acidity to balance the oil. Use fresh lemon juice if at all possible.
Balsamic vinegar – Adds more tangy flavor.
Spices & aromatics – Minced garlic, salt, and pepper season the dressing.

How To Make Caprese Pasta Salad

This salad makes such a quick, easy side dish. The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and seasonings in a jar

Halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and pasta in a bowl

Cook the pasta. Cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water to al dente, per the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Prep the tomatoes. Slice the tomatoes in half and add them to a bowl with the mozzarella balls and basil.
Make the dressing. Add the dressing ingredients to a small mason jar. Stir or shake to combine.
Combine. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl. Pour on half of the dressing. Toss to coat. Give it a taste, adjust the seasonings, and add more dressing if needed. Keep the remaining dressing separate to add later, when the pasta absorbs what’s already on it.
Enjoy! Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Overhead view of a big bowl of caprese pasta salad

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Here are a few general tips, plus a few ways to customize this caprese pasta salad recipe.

Reserve some dressing. I like to add half of the dressing to start, especially if I plan to chill the salad before serving. Then, I add more as needed if the salad becomes too dry.
Make it in one bowl. If you want to save one dish, you can prepare the dressing by whisking the ingredients directly in the salad bowl before adding the tomatoes and cheese.
Julienne the basil. To prepare the basil in strips, stack the leaves evenly on top of one another and roll them lengthwise. Then use a sharp knife to make narrow slices to create the strips.
Add some protein. To make this into a complete meal, simply add some grilled chicken. Shrimp would be great too.
Try it with pepperoncini. For a bit more zip or tang, you can stir some pepperoncini into the salad as well.

Serving Suggestions

Caprese pasta salad is a great addition to any summer picnic or BBQ. It’s also one of my favorite go-to sides during grill season. It works really well with everything from hot dogs and burgers to grilled steak (we’re obsessed with this steak marinade) and grilled chicken.

Make Ahead & Storage

Make ahead: This caprese pasta salad can be prepared in advance, but before serving, you will need to add additional dressing and toss as the pasta will absorb the dressing and it will lose some of its flavor.
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within 3-4 days.

Caprese Pasta Salad