![Easy recipe for Caprese Bow Tie Pasta Salad served cold with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil. Perfect for summertime dining.](https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Caprese-Pasta-salad-tomatoes-basil-rs-.jpg)
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A really simple dish to put together, it is served cold and is a great choice to serve on a very hot and humid evening. You will want to start this pasta salad early in the day to give it time for everything to marinate and bring out the flavors.
Preparing the ingredients for Caprese Pasta Salad
![Easy recipe for Caprese Bow Tie Pasta Salad served cold with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil. Perfect for summertime dining.](https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Shaela-caprese-pasta-salad-1rs.jpg)
Cooking and combining ingredients
![Easy recipe for Caprese Bow Tie Pasta Salad served cold with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil. Perfect for summertime dining.](https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Caprese-Pasta-salad-tomatoes-basil-3rs.jpg)
![Easy recipe for Caprese Bow Tie Pasta Salad served cold with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil. Perfect for summertime dining.](https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Caprese-Pasta-salad-tomatoes-basil-5rs.jpg)
Caprese Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups bite-size fresh mozzarella cheese balls, cut into quarters
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
- 1/3 cup Italian salad dressing (more if you like you pasta salad less dry)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 lb bow tie pasta
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped and more if you like.
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 to 1 cup shaved Parmesan
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, toss the mozzarella and grape/cherry tomatoes with the Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate.
In a skillet on low, heat the olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook for 5-10 minutes allowing the garlic to soften (but not brown) and infuse the oil.
Meanwhile, boil the bow tie pasta according to box directions. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Set the pasta mixture aside to cool.
When the pasta is cooled, add the cheese and tomatoes along with the dressing marinade. Season the salad with salt and pepper and top with 3 tablespoons fresh basil. Toss on Parmesan cheese and pine nut when serving.
![Parmesan, Cracked Pepper and Herbed Bread is full of flavor, slices beautifully and great for sandwiches or buttered and served with soup or salad. Easy recipe dough is made in a bread maker and shaped as desired. Allow to rise, bake and enjoy!](https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Cracked-pepper-parmesan-Herbed-bread-3.jpg)
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![Easy recipe for Caprese Bow Tie Pasta Salad served cold with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil. Perfect for summertime dining.](https://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CapresePastasaladtomatoesbasilLI.jpg)
Definitely going to make this!!! yum :p
Hi Noah,
I think you will like this pasta salad. Don’t worry if you don’t have the pine nuts. But don’t skimp on the Parmesan and basil. I love those flavors in this recipe. Even better if you have fresh basil growing in your garden. Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment!
This post made me smile, Lorraine. Didn’t Shaela do a great job? Cooking with grands is the best, and her pasta salad looks delish!
Pasta salad is one of my favorite dishes. It is so versatile and can include so many different ingredients. I love seeing young ones cooking.