This Caprese Pasta Salad only takes a few simple ingredients and you have a delicious and healthy lunch or dinner. Organic noodles, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil and a few spices are all you need!
If you love making easy pasta dishes, try my Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, or Meyer Lemon Zucchini Pasta.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I love making cold pasta dishes in the summertime. This easy Caprese Pasta Salad is one of those classic recipes that you can make anytime! This Caprese Pasta Salad starts with organic noodles, mozzarella, tomato, and basil. I use a few simple spices along with my favorite Carapelli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
I created this recipe with my friends at Carapelli, using their Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I love their olive oil for many reasons. But first, look at the bottle. It's so pretty! This has such a high quality olive oil feel to it, but it's very affordable and it's an oil that you can use in everything from cold dishes, hot dishes, and even baking!
I love their spout as it's so incredibly easy to pour from, especially when using for salads, such as this. Carapelli is a true Italian olive oil and they are based in Italy. They care about the time and craft that goes into creating olive oil, along with sustainability, which is why I love partnering with them because this is an oil I purchase all the time!
What is a Caprese Pasta Salad?
A Caprese Salad is a simple Italian dish made of just three ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil. It is typically drizzled with olive oil and salt and pepper.
This simple trio of ingredients is just so good! So I've just taken the basic Caprese Salad, and added pasta and a few more spices along with Carapelli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil so you can actually eat this for a meal. If you want more protein, you can add in chicken or summer sausage – which is something I do often as I do like to have more protein! I love Carapelli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil it's one of my faves, and I buy it all the time. I also love their bottles (which is kinda silly, I know) but it actually makes it seem really fancy even though this olive oil is very reasonably priced. Delaney and I always joke that we're suckers for good branding, but hey – we own a design agency, how can we not be?!
This homemade Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is perfect to make for lunch, dinner, and especially for upcoming spring and summer BBQs as it makes an amazing side dish as well. It's also a great recipe to prep ahead of time, as you can easily store it in the fridge until ready to serve.
Ingredients for Caprese Pasta Salad
Carapelli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Organic Cherry Tomatoes
Organic Fresh Basil
Frontier Co-Op Organic Garlic Powder
Frontier Co-Op Organic Oregano
Organic Balsamic Vinegar
Frontier Co-Op Organic Black Pepper
Why go organic?
You may be wondering why I push organic ingredients for everything, even savory and healthy dishes. Organic ingredients go beyond just health and wellness, and contribute so much to the taste and flavor of a recipe. So, if you think that you're making something healthy and buying fruits, veggies, or meats so maybe you don't need to spend the extra to go organic here – let me sway your thinking.
Organic ingredients are made in a more pure way, therefore using no additives, no GMOs, and minimal ingredients. This really allows the true ingredients to shine – and because of that their flavor shines through. Therefore, organic ingredients are more flavorful than their non organic counterparts. So, just because it's already a healthy recipe, or you're already buying good for you ingredients – it doesn't mean you can skip organic! Trust me here, and make the switch. Your body and your taste buds will thank you!
So, I highly recommend that you buy the best organic ingredients for this recipe! You can also shop my Amazon Storefront for all my favorite organic ingredients here. Tip – hover over each ingredient to see the name. And if you want to learn more about organic foods and the difference, read my post here on Food Labels and What They Mean.
Caprese Pasta Salad is a simple pasta salad made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Add chicken, salami, or sausage to add more protein if you want!
Ingredients
- Salad
1 pound organic Gemelli noodles
1 pint organic cherry tomatoes
8 ounces organic mozzarella
1/4 cup chopped organic fresh basil
- Dressing
1/2 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons organic balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon organic garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon organic dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Cook the noodles by following the directions on the box. Allow to cool completely and set aside. (I will usually make the noodles the night before, store in a air tight container in the fridge until ready to use).
- To make the dressing: In a small bowl, add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, fine sea salt, and pepper and whisk together. Set aside.
- To assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add the cooled noodles.
- Half or quarter the cherry tomatoes, depending on their size. Cube the mozzarella. Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, and chopped basil into the bowl with the noodles.
- Pour all the dressing over the top, and toss to coat completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Gluten Free — Use gluten free noodles.
- High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted (but note, that your pasta may take longer to cook than the box says because of altitude, make sure to test it is done).
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Make sure to check out my Butter Parmesan Pasta recipe, which I'm sure you'll love too! And, share it with someone who you think will like it too!
