Best 5 Caprese Pasta Salad Recipes

PESTO PASTA CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
• Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper in a bowl; add rotini. Toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.

LEMON, GARLIC, AND ASPARAGUS WARM CAPRESE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain.
• Place asparagus into a saucepan, add a little water, and place over medium heat; cover pan and let asparagus steam until bright green and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil with butter and lemon juice in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until butter melts; cook and stir shallot in hot oil and butter mixture until it just begins to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir garlic into shallot mixture and cook until shallot and garlic are opaque, 3 more minutes. Stir asparagus and chicken into mixture; cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Toss pasta with chicken and vegetables to combine; mix tomato and basil into salad and serve warm.

CAPRESE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the fusilli, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Place basil, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic into a blender or food processor; cover and chop to a coarse paste. Add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Continue processing until a soft paste has formed. Set pesto aside.
• Combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, 3 tablespoons Parmesan, mozzarella, and pesto in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Cover bowl, refrigerate to chill for 45 minutes, and serve.

LAYERED PASTA CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• In large stockpot, heat 3 quarts water to boiling. Add 3 tablespoons salt; return to boiling. Add pasta; cook as directed on package. Drain and cool slightly, then toss with 1 cup of the reserved marinating liquid from the bocconcini (if there is less than 1 cup marinating liquid, add enough olive oil to liquid to make 1 cup). Refrigerate to cool completely.
• Place tomatoes on ungreased baking pan with sides, divided by color; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside 15 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat balsamic vinegar to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced by half. Set aside to cool.
• In 3 1/2-quart trifle dish or large glass bowl, layer as follows: Gently layer half of the pasta, then one-third of the basil leaves, then one layer of all the red tomatoes. Top the tomatoes with the bocconcini, then the rest of the pasta, another one-third of the basil, then the yellow tomatoes. Drizzle with the cooled balsamic vinegar.
• Shred remaining basil, and sprinkle on top.

CAPRESE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss the mozzarella and cherry tomatoes with the Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate. If I'm making this for dinner, I usually get the cheese and tomatoes in the fridge to marinate a few hours before I plan to assemble the salad.
• In a skillet on low heat, heat the olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook on low for 5-10 minutes allowing the garlic to soften (but not brown) and infuse the oil.
• Meanwhile, boil the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Set the pasta mixture aside to cool.
• Once the pasta is cooled, add the cheese and tomatoes along with the dressing marinade. Season the salad with salt and pepper and top with 3 tablespoons fresh basil.