The Best Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad (Your New Summer Favorite!)

Hello, my friends! What happens when you take the fresh, elegant simplicity of a Caprese salad and combine it with the satisfying, crowd-pleasing nature of a great pasta salad? You get pure magic. Today, I am so excited to share a recipe that does exactly that, and it might just be the best pasta salad you’ll make all summer: this incredible Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad. But we’re not just stopping there. We have a secret weapon that elevates this dish to a whole new level of deliciousness—we’re using both fresh and roasted cherry tomatoes.

Imagine tender, pearl-like orzo pasta, creamy little balls of fresh mozzarella, and a festival of fresh herbs, all tossed in a zesty homemade balsamic vinaigrette. The addition of slow-roasted tomatoes brings a deep, sweet, and concentrated flavor that perfectly complements the juicy pop of the fresh ones. It’s a dish that is bursting with the bright, vibrant flavors of the season, and it’s perfect for everything from easy weeknight lunches to being the star of your next backyard BBQ.

Why This is The Ultimate Summer Pasta Salad

This recipe is a true showstopper, a perfect harmony of textures and flavors that feels both familiar and excitingly new. Here’s why it’s a guaranteed hit.

• The Roasted Tomato Game-Changer: This is the secret to the incredible depth of flavor. Roasting half of the tomatoes concentrates their sweetness and adds a wonderful jammy texture that is absolutely divine.
• A Celebration of Summer Flavors: This salad is a beautiful showcase for peak-season tomatoes and fresh, fragrant basil. It truly tastes like sunshine in a bowl.
• The Perfect Make-Ahead Dish: This is a potluck and meal-prep dream. The flavors actually get better as they sit, allowing the pasta and mozzarella to soak up all that delicious vinaigrette.
• Incredibly Easy & Elegant: While it looks and tastes sophisticated, the process is incredibly simple. It’s a low-effort dish with a huge flavor payoff.
• A Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: It’s wonderful served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. It’s a universally loved flavor combination that is perfect for any gathering.

Gather Your Fresh & Vibrant Ingredients

Let’s get our beautiful, Italian-inspired ingredients ready to create this masterpiece.

• 8 ounces Orzo Pasta: Or another small pasta shape you love.
• 2 pints Cherry Tomatoes, halved and divided
• 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Pearls: These little balls are the perfect size!
• ½ cup Fresh Basil Leaves, torn
• 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, minced
• 2 tablespoons Fresh Chives, minced

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• ⅓ cup Olive Oil: A good quality extra-virgin olive oil will shine here.
• 3 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper, to taste

Crafting Your Pasta Salad: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s build this beautiful, flavor-packed salad together.

1. Roast the Tomatoes: First, let’s build that deep, sweet flavor. Preheat your oven to 400°F. On a baking sheet, toss one pint of your halved cherry tomatoes with a little drizzle of olive oil. Spread them out in a single layer and roast for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened, blistered, and started to caramelize beautifully. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Sprinkle them with a little flaky salt, pepper, and the minced parsley and chives.
2. Make the Dressing & Cook the Pasta: While the tomatoes are roasting, you can make the dressing. In the bottom of a very large serving bowl (the one you’ll mix the whole salad in!), whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Now, get a large pot of generously salted water boiling and cook your orzo according to the package directions until it’s al dente.
3. Combine and Toss: Drain the cooked orzo and let it cool just slightly for a minute or two (you want it to be warm, not hot). Transfer the warm orzo directly to the large bowl with the vinaigrette and toss to dress. Dressing the pasta while it’s warm allows it to absorb all that delicious flavor.

1. The Final Assembly: To the bowl with the dressed orzo, add the beautiful roasted tomatoes, the remaining pint of fresh halved tomatoes, the mozzarella pearls, and the torn basil leaves. Gently toss everything together until it’s all combined. Give it a final taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
2. Serve and Enjoy: You can serve this salad immediately while it’s still slightly warm, or let it cool to room temperature. It’s also fantastic chilled!

Wise Tips for the Best Orzo Salad

• Don’t Overcook the Orzo: Orzo is a small pasta and can overcook quickly. Keep a close eye on it and drain it as soon as it’s al dente (tender with a slight bite) to prevent it from becoming mushy in your salad.
• Roast Your Tomatoes Well: Don’t be afraid to let your tomatoes get a little bit of color in the oven. Those slightly browned, caramelized spots are where all the deep, sweet flavor comes from.
• The Warm Pasta Trick: Tossing the pasta with the vinaigrette while it’s still warm is a pro move. The warm pasta acts like a sponge and soaks up the dressing beautifully, making the entire salad more flavorful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

1. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes! This is a fantastic make-ahead salad. You can roast the tomatoes, cook the pasta, and make the dressing up to a day in advance. For the best result, store them in separate containers in the fridge and toss everything together with the fresh mozzarella and basil just before serving.
2. What if I can’t find mozzarella pearls?
   No problem at all! You can buy a larger ball of fresh mozzarella and simply chop it into small, bite-sized cubes.
3. Can I add a protein to this salad?
   This salad would be absolutely incredible with some grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas to make it a more substantial main course.
4. What other pasta shapes could I use?
   As the recipe notes suggest, this salad is very forgiving! Any small or medium pasta shape would work wonderfully. Fusilli, cavatappi, farfalle (bow ties), or ditalini are all great choices.

Conclusion

This Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad is a true celebration of summer’s best flavors. The simple but brilliant technique of using both roasted and fresh tomatoes creates a dish with an incredible depth and brightness that is truly special. It’s a versatile, beautiful, and ridiculously delicious salad that is destined to become the star of all your summer gatherings. I hope you love it as much as I do!