Caprese Pasta Salad

This tortellini caprese pasta salad is a classic summer salad featuring juicy red ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, homegrown basil and cheesy tortellini. 

There is nothing like the flavor of summer grown tomatoes. My favorite way to eat them is caprese style. A drizzle of olive oil and a shake of aged balsamic vinegar – yummy perfection!

I grown my own and come August my garden is overflowing. I love picking the tiny tomatoes off the dwarf shrubs and just popping them into my mouth.

They are just bursting with flavor and are irresistible sweet.

These tomatoes works so well mixed together with mini mozzarella balls and cheesy tortellini.

It makes the ultimate pasta salad that is a perfect companion for any barbecue or summer dinner.

This summer we are grilling out quite a bit and sharing dinners with our neighbors. This pasta salad is easy to make and can be done so with just a few ingredients.

Cherry or grape tomatoes work best with this salad because … well they are juicy, sweet and so easy to eat.

Do you grow a garden?  I do and there is nothing like the flavor of fresh veggies. It’s become a family affair. Actually, all the neighborhood kids chip in.

I’ve even caught little dears in my garden stealing peas. BUSTED…My son has a mouthful. I’ve got to protect those tomatoes.

There is nothing fancy required when tossing this simple side dish other than some salt and cracked pepper, olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.

The aged vinegar brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes. Another option instead of oil and vinegar is using basil pesto. It’s just as flavorful.

Should I use store bought tomatoes for this caprese pasta salad?

If you’re not growing your own tomatoes be sure to stop by your local farm market. Fresh local grown tomatoes taste so different and so much better than what you get in the grocery store.

Can you see in the photo above how different garden grown tomatoes look. They taste just as delicious!

What are your favorite kinds of tomatoes? Let me know in the comments below.

Hungry for more?

Pin this recipe on Pinterest!
Follow me! Like my page on Facebook!
Flip this recipe on Flipboard!

Print Recipe

Tortellini Caprese Salad

A classic summer pasta salad featuring juicy red ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, homegrown basil and cheesy tortellini.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Tortellini Caprese Salad

Servings: 6

Author: Ali Randall

Ingredients

• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 8- ounce container Ciliegine (cherry sized mozzarella balls)
• 10- ounce bag cheese tortellini
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Boil the tortellini according to the package directions, then drain. Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella balls in half and place them in a bowl. Add in the tortellini, chopped basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss the salad until well coated.