Description
This Creamy Caprese Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful Italian-American dish perfect for summer gatherings. Featuring tender rotini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, fragrant basil, and a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and tangy balsamic glaze, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare and delightful to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain and cool: Drain the pasta well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and chill it. Set aside to drain completely.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, balsamic glaze, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh basil to the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss salad: Gently toss all ingredients together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the salad and add extra salt and pepper if needed, ensuring balanced flavors.
- Chill before serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and enhance.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- Add grilled chicken for a protein-packed, complete meal.
- Use heirloom cherry tomatoes for extra color and flavor variety.
