I find that pasta tends to absorb (and erase) flavor as it sits overnight, so this bold dressing is just right for a pasta salad you make in advance. The dressing was way too tangy until I added the herbs (thyme and oregano), sugar, and mayonnaise - after that, the flavor and texture became perfectly balanced for the pasta salad. I’ve used a blend of balsamic and white wine vinegars for the dressing to add some complexity and lightness to a straight-up balsamic profile.ĭijon mustard is an emulsifier and helps the dressing become and stay creamy when you blend in the olive oil (we’ll use a blender for this). You may not have the adorable pearl shape, but you’ll still have the soft, creamy texture of fresh mozzarella.
If you are unable to find fresh mozzarella pearls, you can get an 8-oz ball of fresh mozzarella and dice it into 1/2-inch cubes instead. Make sure you separate all the mozzarella balls when you add them to the pasta salad. I find them near the fresh balls of mozzarella, packed into a large bumpy golf-ball shape and wrapped in plastic. These tiny balls of fresh mozzarella make this pasta salad feel extra-decadent - but they may not be available in every grocery store. Plus, they’re cute! Fresh mozzarella pearls A grape tomato half is also firmer than a piece of diced larger tomato, which is the right texture for this dish. Their natural sweetness is a welcome contrast to the tangy balsamic dressing. While I love heirloom tomatoes in a classic caprese salad, grape tomatoes are the right choice for this pasta salad. This penne pasta salad includes classic caprese salad ingredients - tomato, mozzarella, and basil - along with a little red onion for contrast and a flavorful, creamy balsamic dressing. We had this as a main dish at home, and I was so happy to have as much of it as I wanted to eat!įor a heartier main dish, this would be delicious with some diced balsamic marinated chicken added! Ingredients And I always want so much more than a little 4-oz container.
While I’m sure to pick up a side of the caprese pasta salad whenever I stop there for lunch, for a large quantity it’s much more affordable to make a big batch at home. It’s tossed in a creamy balsamic dressing and is so addictive!
Homemade creamy pasta salad full#
It’s made with penne pasta and is full of halved grape tomatoes, adorable fresh mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, and little slivers of red onion. One is the sun-dried tomato pasta salad from Beyond Bread in Tucson, AZ, which is now a favorite of both family and friends.Īnd I’ve found another one I love here in Charleston: the creamy caprese pasta salad from Caviar and Bananas downtown. In my experience, most deli pasta salads are either average or awful, but I’ve found a few that are really worth getting (and replicating!) on a regular basis. If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a good pasta salad. Make it in just 30 minutes for an easy side dish or meatless main course - or add some diced balsamic marinated chicken for a more substantial meal! Enjoy it immediately or make it in advance!
This delicious balsamic caprese pasta salad features a homemade creamy vinaigrette along with plenty of fresh grape tomatoes and basil, fresh mozzarella pearls, and marinated red onion for a subtle crunch.
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