Caprese Pasta Salad with a Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Pasta salad season is here, and this Caprese Pasta Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette is everything. It’s got tender pasta loaded with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy bocconcini, fresh basil, crisp cucumber, and red onion — all tossed in the most addictive homemade honey balsamic dressing and finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s fresh, vibrant, and comes together in under 25 minutes. Whether you’re bringing it to a BBQ, serving it as a side, or eating it straight from the bowl, this one is a total crowd-pleaser. This recipe is also an exciting one because I got to make it with two of my favorites: Cat & Nat! We had such an exciting day in my kitchen, and they also got to meet my new pup, Izzy!

Why This is Delish

This pasta salad has everything going for it. The honey balsamic vinaigrette is tangy, slightly sweet, and so good you’ll want to put it on everything. The bocconcini adds that creamy, mild richness that makes every bite indulgent, while the cherry tomatoes and basil keep it bright and fresh. It’s a classic Caprese flavor combo elevated into a hearty pasta salad, and the balsamic glaze drizzle at the end takes it completely over the top.

How to Make Caprese Pasta Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook for about 10 minutes, or until al dente. Once cooked, drain and run the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer to a large bowl and pat dry with a clean towel.

While the pasta cools, make the honey balsamic vinaigrette. In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and grated garlic. Season generously with salt and pepper, then whisk everything together until fully combined and emulsified.

Add the chopped spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cucumber, and fresh basil to the bowl with the cooled pasta. Toss everything together, then pour the vinaigrette over top and mix until the pasta is evenly coated.

Finish with a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze and a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately or let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes for even better flavor.

Variations That Spice Caprese Pasta Salad Up

• Add crispy prosciutto on top for a salty, crunchy element that takes it to the next level.
• Toss in some grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a full, protein-packed meal.

Substitutions For Your Dietary Needs

• Use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make this gluten-free.
• Swap bocconcini for cubed fresh mozzarella or even burrata for an extra creamy version.
• Use maple syrup instead of honey to make the vinaigrette vegan.

Recipe Hacks & Tips

• Pat the pasta dry after rinsing — this helps the dressing stick instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl
• Grate the garlic on a microplane for the smoothest, most evenly distributed flavor in the dressing
• Make the vinaigrette in a big batch — it keeps in the fridge for up to a week and doubles as a marinade
• Let the salad sit for 20–30 minutes before serving if you have time — the flavors get even better as it rests

Serve These Delicious Dishes

• Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta Salad
• Italian Pasta Salad with Marinated Bocconcini
• Spring Pasta Salad with a Lemony Caper & Shallot Vinaigrette

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing as it sits, so give it a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of balsamic before serving to freshen it back up. Add a handful of fresh basil right before eating for the best flavor.

Common Questions

Equipment Needed for Recipe

• Pasta Pot
• Large Wooden Bowl
• Salad Mixers
• Bowls
• Measuring Cup
• Mini Grater
• Mini Whisk
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons

Caprese Pasta Salad with a Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

The perfect summer pasta salad is here – try this simple and delish Caprese Pasta Salad paired with a Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette!

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5 from 1 Review

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:12 minutes mins

Yields: 4

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

• 1 Package Pasta of choice
• 1 Cup Spinach chopped
• 1 Cup Bocconcini
• ½ Red Onion thinly sliced
• 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
• ½ Cuucmber chopped
• 1 bunch Basil chopped
• Salt & Pepper
• 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Glaze

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 2 Tablespoons Honey
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
• ½ Cup Olive Oil
• 1 Clove Garlic grated
• ¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
• Salt & Pepper

Equipment

• Pasta Pot
• Large Wooden Bowl
• Salad Mixers
• Bowls
• Measuring Cup
• Mini Grater
• Mini Whisk
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add in pasta once boiled and cook for 10 minutes. Once cooked, run pasta under cold water to stop cooking. Add pasta to a large bowl and pat dry with a towel.
• Add pasta salad ingredients to the bowl with the cooked pasta. In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine salad dressing ingredients and whisk together until combined.
• Add salad dressing over top of the pasta salad and mix together until pasta is evenly coated. Drizzle balsamic glaze over top and black pepper. Serve and enjoy!

TIPS & NOTES

For the pasta – I opted for medium-sized shells, but I would also use rigatoni, orecchiette, or paccheri pasta!