Name: Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 ounce box Bow-tie or farfalle pasta (medium size # 66), cooked and drained; 8 ounce package of fresh mozzarella pearls (mini mozzarella balls); 2 cups (1 ½ pints) of grape tomatoes, cut in half; 1 small bunch of fresh basil, chopped and divided; ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil; ⅛ cup balsamic vinegar; 3 tablespoons honey; 2 teaspoons grated garlic (about 2 cloves); 0.6 ounce packet of Italian seasoning dressing mix; ½ cup balsamic vinegar; 3 tablespoons honey

There’s something about the fresh combo of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil that just sings in this Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe. The balsamic glaze adds that perfect touch of tangy sweetness, making it a standout salad that’s both hearty and refreshing.

The image shows a close-up of a pasta salad featuring bowtie-shaped pasta as the main layer, cooked to a light yellow color with a slightly shiny texture. Mixed in throughout are bright red cherry tomatoes, some halved to show their seeds, adding vibrant color. Small white balls of mozzarella cheese are scattered evenly, creating a soft, smooth texture contrast. Finely chopped green basil leaves are sprinkled on top, adding fresh green touches across the dish. The pasta and ingredients are inside a white bowl with a subtle shine, resting on a white marbled surface. A silver spoon sits in the bowl, lifting some pasta, tomatoes, and mozzarella, highlighting the colors and textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe countless times for summer gatherings and weeknight dinners because it’s just so simple and stunning. The flavors feel fresh but come together easily — no stressing over fancy techniques or pricey ingredients.

Easy to Prepare: You can whip this up in under half an hour, making it ideal even on busy days.
Fresh, Vibrant Flavors: The combo of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella gives every bite a bright summer vibe.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a picnic, potluck, or casual dinner, it always impresses without fuss.
That Balsamic Glaze Magic: That drizzle is the secret weapon—it transforms the salad from everyday to memorable.

The image shows a white plate filled with farfalle pasta mixed with bright red cherry tomatoes, small white mozzarella balls, and thin strips of green basil scattered on top. There is a light drizzle of dark balsamic glaze over the pasta. A spoon holds a serving of the pasta mixture close to the camera, showing the pasta’s bowtie shape and the fresh tomato halves and whole mozzarella balls in clear detail. In the background, a glass bowl with more pasta and tomatoes sits on a white marbled surface, along with a small glass jar of dark balsamic sauce and a spoon inside it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of the Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe lies in using fresh, quality ingredients that balance one another in flavor and texture. Choosing ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella pearls really lifts the dish, while the basil adds herbaceous freshness.

Flat lay of colorful grape tomatoes halved to show their juicy interiors, glossy fresh mozzarella pearls scattered gently, bright green fresh basil leaves and sprigs, perfectly cooked bow-tie pasta with a subtle sheen, a small glass jar of dark balsamic glaze with honey shimmering inside, golden honey droplets glistening nearby, and a few garlic cloves, all beautifully arranged with natural light highlighting their fresh textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Bow-tie or farfalle pasta: The shape holds the dressing well and adds a delightful texture contrast.
Fresh mozzarella pearls: Creamy and soft, they melt gently in your mouth alongside the pasta.
Grape tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, cutting them in half boosts their freshness.
Fresh basil: Adds an aromatic punch and unmistakable Italian vibe.
Extra virgin olive oil: Brings richness and silkiness to the balsamic dressing.
Balsamic vinegar: Provides the perfect tang that pairs beautifully with the sweet honey.
Honey: Softens the acidity in balsamic and adds a subtle, natural sweetness.
Grated garlic: Adds a savory depth without overpowering the salad.
Italian seasoning mix: An easy way to incorporate classic Italian flavors into the dressing.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking the Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe depending on what I have on hand or how fancy I want to get. This dish is incredibly flexible, so feel free to make it your own!

Add Grilled Chicken or Shrimp: When I want to turn this salad into a full meal, I toss in some grilled protein for extra heartiness.
Switch Up the Herbs: Sometimes I swap basil for fresh mint or oregano to give it a unique twist that surprises guests.
Use Different Pasta Shapes: Penne or rotini work just as well if you don’t have farfalle, and they soak up the dressing nicely.
Make it Vegan: Simply swap the mozzarella pearls for marinated tofu or vegan cheese balls, and use maple syrup in place of honey.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Perfectly

I always cook the bow-tie pasta just until al dente—about 10 minutes or according to package instructions. It’s important not to overcook it because the pasta will continue to soften a bit while chilling in the fridge. Once cooked, draining well and tossing it back in the bowl immediately helps prevent sticking.

Step 2: Whisk Your Balsamic Dressing

While the pasta is cooking, I mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, grated garlic, and that handy Italian seasoning. Give it a good whisk until everything’s well combined and the honey dissolves. Then pop it in the fridge to chill while you prepare the other ingredients — the flavors get even better then.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

Into the large mixing bowl with the pasta, I add halved grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and chopped fresh basil, making sure to save some basil aside for garnish. Then I pour in about half a cup of the chilled balsamic dressing. Careful folding here is key—you want every bite coated but the salad elements still distinct and fresh.

Step 4: Chill for the Perfect Flavor

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours. I’ve learned that this wait time is when the dressing really melds with the pasta and the flavors pop. It’s the difference between “nice” and “wow, this is so good.”

Step 5: Make the Balsamic Glaze

While the salad chills, I create the balsamic glaze. Simply combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer until the mixture reduces by half and thickens. This glaze cools down beautifully and adds that final dramatic flair when drizzled on just before serving.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Before bringing the salad to the table, sprinkle on the reserved fresh basil and drizzle generously with the balsamic glaze. The colors and aroma at this point make it feel like a special occasion salad, even if it’s just Tuesday night!

Top Tip

Over the years, I've found a few little tricks that make this Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe truly shine, so let me share those with you.

Drain and toss the pasta quickly: After draining, toss pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking before cooling.
Chill for flavor melding: Don’t skip the 2-hour refrigeration — it helps ingredients absorb the dressing beautifully.
Make the glaze gently: Simmer on medium-low and watch closely to avoid burning the balsamic reduction.
Reserve basil for garnish: Adding fresh basil last keeps its vibrant color and fragrant aroma intact.

How to Serve Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe

Caprese Pasta Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always add a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped basil on top just before serving — it adds a pop of green that’s really inviting. Sometimes, I even add a few extra mozzarella pearls or thinly sliced fresh tomatoes on top for an elegant look. A little extra drizzle of balsamic glaze never hurts either!

Side Dishes

For me, this pasta salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or crusty garlic bread. If I’m making it for a picnic, I like serving it alongside simple prosciutto slices and fresh fruit for a light, balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe layered in a large glass trifle bowl, so you can see all those colorful ingredients. It’s also fun to use mini mason jars for individual servings when entertaining—it feels fancy but is super easy to prep ahead.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Caprese Pasta Salad keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a light stir before serving. The fresh basil might darken a bit over time, so I recommend adding a little extra fresh basil if possible before eating leftovers.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because the fresh ingredients and pasta texture change when frozen. So I’d stick to enjoying it fresh or chilling it for a day or two for best taste and texture.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat the Caprese Pasta Salad since it’s best served cold or at room temperature. If you want to warm it slightly, I suggest just letting it sit at room temp for 10-15 minutes so the flavors open up nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta for Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe?

Absolutely! While bow-tie (farfalle) is the classic choice, penne, rotini, or even small shells work great because they hold the dressing well and complement the salad ingredients.

How long can I keep the salad refrigerated?

The salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days when stored in an airtight container. Be sure to add fresh basil before serving leftovers to revive its brightness.

Can I make the balsamic glaze ahead of time?

Yes! The balsamic glaze can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge in a sealed jar. Just bring it to room temperature before drizzling over the salad.

Is this recipe suitable for vegans?

You can make this vegan by swapping mozzarella cheese with your favorite vegan cheese alternative and replacing honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly.

Final Thoughts

This Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe truly holds a special spot in my kitchen rotation. It’s the kind of dish that pulls together easily but always feels festive and fresh. Whether you’re serving it for a casual lunch or an outdoor party, the flavors and colors never fail to brighten up the day. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—here’s to simple food that tastes like a celebration!