This Caprese Pasta Salad is so quick andeasy to put together! Full of orzo pasta, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, tangy balsamic, and salty parmesan!
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Who else goes to BBQ’s and immediately heads to the “sides & desserts” table?
Anyone? Anyone?
For me, while I do love me some grilled burgers (new recipe coming soon!!), Ireally loveto load my plate with things like Mexican Pasta Salad, Guacamole, Broccoli Salad, One Bowl Brownies, and now, this Caprese Pasta Salad.
The only downfall to doing that?
Much of the time those pasta salads are LOADED with mayo and sugar and they’re probablynot the healthiest thing out there for you.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still going to eat allthethings😉 , but I AMpretty happy that today’s recipe is much much lighter and free of mayo and sugar.
ThisCaprese Pasta Salad Recipe, like many of my other recipes, started with an idea and a bowl. . . and then I just started throwing things in. . . and guess what?
Worked likea charm.
It startedwith a base of orzo. If you’ve never had orzo, you’re seriously missing out. It’s a short-cut pasta that kind of looks like rice, but I promise you, it’s pasta. It’s also kind of slippery, which sounds gross, but it’s SO good.
Now. This is a CAPRESE pasta salad, so tomatoes were next to get thrown into the bowl.
I used these multi-colored tomatoes, because I’m a sucker for pretty things, but feel free to use “regular” cherry or grape tomatoes.
Next up, we have mozzarella. Um aka the best part of caprese.
Today, we’re using,mozzarella pearls. I started by measuring up a cup, but then I said, YOLO, and dumped in the wholecontainer. 🙂 #worthit
Then I added in l.o.a.d.s of fresh basil.
Now. That was my starting point.
From there, I decided thisCaprese Pasta Salad needed some more color, so I added in a cup of a baby arugula/spinach mixture. It also needed more tomatoes, so I added in sun-dried tomatoes. Ugh I♡ those. And of course, it needed MORE cheese, so I stirred in some freshly shaved parmesan. Is there anything better?
Hint: the answer is no. 😉
But THEN this pasta salad needed a sauce.
I quickly whisked together some oil from the sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, a touch of honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. I tried not to drink the whole thing before smothering the pasta salad in it.
After a quick toss, theCaprese Pasta Salad was done!
Trevor and I immediately dug in, which normally I don’t do before I photograph arecipe, but this recipe makes a TON so even after we stuffed our faces, there was more than enough for the photo shoot. . . and like 5 meals after. 😉
ThisCaprese Pasta Salad is quick and easy to put together and is full of amazing textures and flavors. Tender orzo pasta + soft mozzarella pearls + chewy sun dried tomatoes meet fresh basil, tangy balsamic, and salty parmesan.
You guys. This pasta salad is healthier, lighter, and fresher than most, I promise you don’t miss the mayo. 🙂
– Jennifer
4.88 from 8 votes
This Caprese Pasta Salad is so quick and easy to put together! Full of orzo pasta, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, tangy balsamic, and salty parmesan!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Yield: 8 people
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Ingredients
US Customary - Metric
Pasta Salad
- 1 (16 oz) box orzo pasta uncooked
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (just measure out the tomatoes, not the oil at this point)
- 1/2 cup Fresh basil chopped or more to taste
- 1 cup baby arugula/spinach
- 1 (8 oz) container Mozzarella Pearls
- 1/2 cup freshly shaved parmesan
Sauce
- 1/4 cup oil from sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
Pasta Salad
Cook orzo according to package directions.
Drain and place in a large mixing bowl.
To the pasta, add in tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, arugula/spinach, mozzarella, and parmesan.
Stir together until well combined.
Sauce
Whisk together oil, balsamic, honey, garlic, salt and pepper.
Toss the sauce together with the pasta salad and season with more salt, to taste.
Store, covered, in the fridge until ready to eat!
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STORING
Room Temp:N/A
Refrigerator:3-5 Days
Freezer:N/A
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 422 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 14mg5%
Sodium 152mg7%
Potassium 532mg15%
Carbohydrates 55g18%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 17g34%
Vitamin A 815IU16%
Vitamin C 17.4mg21%
Calcium 212mg21%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: fresh, orzo pasta, summer
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Author: Jennifer Debth