Fresh Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Balsamic Glaze
A quick and easy fresh Caprese pasta salad featuring rotini or penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a sweet-tangy balsamic glaze. Perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini or penne pasta
- 1 pint (about 300 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces (225 grams) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained and halved
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) brown sugar or honey
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions—usually about 8 to 10 minutes—until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta using a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to drain completely.
- While the pasta cooks, pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) of balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons (25 grams) of brown sugar or honey into a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it reduce until thickened and syrupy—this usually takes around 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the halved cherry tomatoes, halved fresh mozzarella balls, and 1 cup of torn or roughly chopped fresh basil leaves. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the bowl. Drizzle with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic glaze over the salad. You can add it all at once or serve on the side for guests to customize.
- Give the salad a final gentle toss, taste, and adjust salt, pepper, or olive oil as needed.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or platter. Garnish with extra basil leaves or freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Notes
Use pasta shapes with grooves or twists like rotini or fusilli to hold the dressing better. Be patient when making the balsamic glaze to avoid burning. Add mozzarella after pasta cools to prevent it from becoming rubbery. Season gradually to avoid over-salting. Keep balsamic glaze separate if making ahead and add just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: Caprese pasta salad, balsamic glaze, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, easy pasta salad, summer salad, Italian salad