No-Bake Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze
A refreshing no-cook pasta salad featuring cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a tangy balsamic glaze ideal for quick picnic prep. This italian-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, halved, fresh basil leaves, torn into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2: Add 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup halved fresh mozzarella balls, and 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves to the cooled pasta.
- Step 3: Drizzle 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the mixture, then sprinkle 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Gently toss everything together until evenly combined.
- Step 4: Just before serving, drizzle 2 tbsp balsamic glaze over the salad for a sweet tangy finish that complements the fresh ingredients perfectly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rotini pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is No-Bake Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Glaze vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
