Make mealtime EASY with my 4 Ingredient Caprese Pasta Salad with pesto!
Hi guys!
Mid- August hits and I generally feel a little melancholy. I love everything about summer and I start to get sad that it's winding down. I'm the sucker who loves the heat. That usually means I find an hour to sit in the warm sun, going to the Farmer's Market and buy ALL THE HEIRLOOM TOMATOES and even insisting on eating all my meals outdoors. I know it will still be a while before it turns cool in the mountains, but I try to squeeze out as much of the season as possible. If only I could stop the pumpkin mania for a few more weeks, I'd be content.
So this recipe is an ode to all things simple and summer. My 4 Ingredient Caprese Pasta Salad with pesto is perfect no-fuss simple summer meal.
4 Ingredient Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto
There are a lot of delicious things to make in summer, but caprese is at the top of the list for me. The Hubs and I will enjoy it as a full meal on occasion when August hits and the tomatoes and so ripe and juicy.
This pasta salad takes the fuss out of it and makes it a hearty meal ANYONE will love.
All you need to make my Caprese Pasta Salad with pesto is your favorite pasta. You can go as healthy or unhealthy as you'd like! I like this protein pasta or this chickpea pasta. But your favorite works well too. I've even made it before with frozen cheese tortellini... which you can imagine was kind of a dream.
The other ingredients are fresh mozzarella bites, pesto, and more fresh basil. The extra basil is even optional if you happen to be making this when basil is not in season.
Use your favorite store-bought pesto if you are in a hurry OR make my Basil Almond Pesto is you have time. Either way, the flavors of summer totally pop in each bite. You get the tomato, basil, and cheese together and it tastes just like a long summer night.
I even made the Caprese Pasta Salad with pesto recipe in a big batch so you could make it once and eat it for a few days OR bring it to a potluck. From experience I know it's a hit!
And even though the flavors are more summery I've even brought this to a Christmas party before because of the red, white and green. It's SO easy to make if you need a dish in a pinch.
I hope you enjoy this taste of summer - Caprese Pasta Salad with pesto -as much as I did. Excuse me while I go play some Kenny Chesney and pretend I'm at the beach. 🙂 As always, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments.
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Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup fresh pesto ***
- optional: chopped fresh basil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and set aside to cool.
- Once the pasta is cool toss the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls and fresh pesto together. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. If in season toss and garnish with additional fresh chopped basil.
Notes
Nutrition
Your turn!
Are you more of a summer or fall person?
Willow Swinfen-Wilkes says
How long would this stay fresh for in the fridge? Thinking about using it for lunch prep?
JulieWunder says
I'm sure it would be fine through the week! That would be a great lunch!
Diliam says
How much does it yeld?
Enough for 4 people would you say?
JulieWunder says
I'd say 4-6+ depending on what else you are serving.
Amanda says
Caprese is so refreshing. Love how simple this recipe is!
Catherine Brown says
Mmmm, love caprese salad AND bowtie pasta so this will be a perfect combination for my family!
Jacqueline Debono says
Your photos are beautiful! Here in Italy we eat a lot of Caprese salad with or without pasta in summer. I've never added pesto to Caprese pasta salad! Def a must try!
Ramona says
I love caprese salads and your looks incredible - perfect summer delight - yumm
Beth says
That looks so delicious! I agree with you! I am sad that the summer will soon be over!
Miz Helen says
This is a great salad that we will really enjoy! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Kristy from Southern In Law says
I actually make a similar dish for Christmas every year because it’s red, white and green and owrf3ct for an Australian summer Christmas!
Farrah says
Caprese salads are one of my favorite things ever--I love that you added pasta to this! 😀 This looks amazing!
Lisa Ballantyne says
Looks delightful Julie! I love pasta salad!
Lisa Ballantyne says
Looks delightful! I love pasta salad!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
I love making pasta salads with some cheese tortellini as a fun little surprise! Between this recipe and the pesto one, I'm so sad my basil plant died.
Beth Ann Chiles says
A perfect salad anytime! Thanks!