Caprese Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful mix of chicken, bacon, juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil tossed in an incredible balsamic dressing.
Author’s Notes
Caprese, But Make It Pasta Salad
I am obsessed with anything Caprese! The combo of juicy sweet tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella is elite, but add balsamic to tie it all together and wow…it’s so good.
I’ve already shared my all-time favorite Caprese salad, turned those flavors into a favorite pasta dish, and even made a chicken dinner inspired by them. So it was only a matter of time before I turned it into a pasta salad, and I’m so glad I kept working on this one because it turned out so good!
Lately, I’ve been loving pasta salads as full meals, so I added chicken and bacon for a little more staying power. That said, this recipe is super forgiving and can easily be made veggie-only too!
Caprese Pasta Salad Ingredients
| Ingredient | Let’s Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Mini bowtie pasta | Mini pasta works best here because it holds onto the dressing and mixes evenly with all the toppings. Rotini also works great. |
| Rotisserie chicken & bacon | Rotisserie chicken keeps prep easy. Cook bacon until crisp so it stays from getting soft in the salad. |
| Cherry tomatoes & basil | Use ripe, sweet tomatoes and tear the basil by hand right before serving for the best fresh flavor. |
| Fresh mozzarella | Mozzarella pearls are easiest, but larger fresh mozzarella can be chopped into bite-size pieces. Before adding it to this Caprese Pasta Salad, pat it dry if it seems watery. |
| Olive oil, vinegars, Dijon, honey & seasonings | Shake the dressing really well before adding. It tastes strong on its own, but really mellows once tossed with the pasta. |
What To Serve With Caprese Pasta Salad
- Bread: Warm garlic bread or a crusty loaf is always a good idea alongside this salad.
- Fresh fruit: Watermelon, grapes, peaches, or a simple fruit salad pairs really well.
- Grilled veggies: Grilled zucchini, asparagus, corn, or summer squash for an easy side.
- Something from the grill: Grilled chicken, burgers, steak, or Italian sausage turn this into an even bigger summer meal.
Quick Tip
Make It Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and bacon and add extra mozzarella, chickpeas or white beans, avocado, or diced cucumber for more substance. Keep the add-in amounts about the same and this recipe works great with the swaps.
Chelsea’s Tips
A Few Helpful Tips
- Salt the water: Well-salted pasta water adds flavor from the start.
- Dress warm pasta: Warm pasta soaks up the dressing better.
- Use ripe tomatoes: Sweet, ripe tomatoes make a big difference here.
- Tear basil: Hand-torn basil bruises less and stays fresher longer than sliced basil.
Storage
This Caprese Pasta Salad is best enjoyed the same day. The basil wilts quickly and the dressing soaks into the pasta as it sits.
If making ahead or saving leftovers, store the bacon, basil, and dressing separately and only toss together what will be enjoyed that day.
More Favorite Pasta Salad Recipes
Caprese Pasta Salad
Video
Equipment
- Wide-mouth Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package mini bowtie pasta
- 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/3 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 (8-ounce) package mozzarella pearls
- 1 lightly packed cup basil leaves torn by hand, see note 1
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a large jar. Seal and shake well to combine. The dressing will taste sharp on its own, but the flavor mellows once tossed with the salad.
- Cook pasta: Bring 12 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon salt. Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Cool pasta: Drain pasta well and rinse under cold water for about 20 seconds, shaking off excess water. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Dress pasta: Shake the dressing again and pour about two-thirds over the warm pasta. Toss well, then let sit for about 30 minutes so the pasta can cool and soak up the dressing.
- Finish salad: Add tomatoes, chicken, bacon, and mozzarella. Pour over the remaining dressing and toss well. Add torn basil and gently toss again.
- Serve: Transfer to a large serving bowl and enjoy immediately. This salad is best enjoyed the same day and not long after being dressed.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
