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    Home » Salads and Dips

    Caprese Pasta Salad (Gluten Free, Easy)

    Published: Feb 14, 2019 by Stephanie 5 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read full disclosure.

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    Caprese Pasta Salad is an easy to prepare salad that requires only a few ingredients. The perfect make ahead salad that is great served alone or as a side. Fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, basil, and ciliegine combined in a pasta salad that's packed with tons of flavor. Gluten Free, Easy.

    Caprese Pasta Salad in a bowl with a spoon and tomatoes and fresh basil in background.

    Pasta salads are just one of those things that seem to come together rather quickly and that most people Enjoy!

    So if you're a fan of caprese then you'll REALLY love this classic easy to make salad.

    And it's also pretty enough to serve to guests or for that special someone you wanna impress. 😉

    What is caprese?

    It is basically a salad that consists of fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, & tomatoes.

    The best tomatoes to use

    You want to use tomatoes that are smaller in size, fresh and flavorful....

    Since there are very few ingredients you want them all to pop with flavor.

    So I would suggest cherry or grape tomatoes...

    Although roma tomatoes would work as well if you just cut them into smaller chunks.

    Tomatoes and Fresh Basil in a white bowl.

    Ingredients needed

    1. Gluten Free Pasta.... you can use any shape... but this is made with chickpea pasta small shells
    2. Fresh tomatoes... such as cherry or grape
    3. Ciliegine.... which is fresh mozzarella balls
    4. Fresh basil
    5. Olive oil
    6. Garlic
    7. Balsamic vinegar
    8. Dried oregano

    What to serve with it

    • A small green side salad
    • Steamed broccoli
    • Roasted asparagus
    • Green Beans

    I would tend to stick with something that wasn't high carb since the pasta has plenty of carbs.

    So any kind of green vegetables would go nicely with this.

     

    Recipe tips

    • Always use quality fresh ingredients & organic whenever possible
    • So a good olive oil and an aged balsamic vinegar can make a big difference
    • Allow at least 2 hours prior to serving to give flavors a chance to blend
    • Taste for seasoning before serving
    • After refrigerating leftovers take out of fridge 15 minutes prior to serving...
    • It usually tastes better if not as cold
    Caprese Pasta Salad in a white bowl with basil in background.

    AND IF YOU TRY THIS RECIPE PLEASE BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW…..

    I’d love to hear if you make this & how you like it. Plus please be sure to include a star rating.

    Caprese Pasta Salad in a white bowl and some on a fork.

    More salad recipes

    Broccoli Quinoa Salad 

    Creamy Grape Salad 

    Apple Cranberry Kale Salad 

    Caprese Pasta Salad in a white bowl with grape tomatoes beside it.

    Until next time- xoxo

    Stephanie

    📖 Recipe

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    5 from 3 votes

    Caprese Pasta Salad (GF & Easy)

    This Caprese Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes and basil. Super quick & easy to throw together and is the perfect make ahead salad for any occasion.
    Course Lunch/Dinner, Salads, Sides
    Cuisine Gluten Free, Italian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 371kcal
    Author Stephanie

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces Gluten Free pasta
    • 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes sliced
    • 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese balls
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • handful of fresh chopped basil
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ tsp. dried oregano
    • salt & pepper to taste
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    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to package directions and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
    • Drain completely and place in large mixing bowl.
    • Add remaining ingredients and toss together.
    • Allow time for flavors to marinate prior to serving.
    • Taste for salt & pepper before serving.

    Notes

    You can also cut up fresh mozzarella yourself. 
    I like to use ciliegine (which is the smaller mozzarella balls) mainly for the nice presentation. 😉
    *Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 48.6g | Protein: 7.5g | Fat: 16.2g | Saturated Fat: 3.6g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 116mg | Sugar: 2.3g | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @applesforcjblog or tag #applesforcj
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    Comments

    1. Jacqueline Debono

      February 14, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      Caprese salad is a classic here in Italy! Italians also call it 'il tricolore' because it contains the colours of the Italian flag! Love the idea of making it into a pasta salad! I must look out for chickpea pasta!

      Reply
    2. Jill

      February 14, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      I need to make a batch of this to have on-hand for my lunches. I love anything caprese!

      Reply
    3. Mary Bostow

      February 14, 2019 at 3:36 pm

      Wow! I made this last night and it was delicious! I had it warm, yum! Tonight I will eat the leftover cold. I’m sure it will be just as delicious!

      Reply
    4. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

      February 14, 2019 at 3:34 pm

      What a delicious pairing of two of my favorite things -- pasta salad and a tomato basil caprese! This will replace my standard pasta salad recipe this summer.

      Reply
    5. Lisa Huff

      February 14, 2019 at 3:26 pm

      What a fun idea to make it into a pasta salad. Saving for this summer!

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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    Hi, I'm Stephanie! The Recipe developer and writer behind APPLES FOR CJ. Welcome to my Happy Place! Here you'll find a collection of my Best Gluten Free & Vegetarian recipes, along with some healthy lifestyle tips. Hope you'll stay awhile!

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