We’re totally swooning over this scrumptious Caprese style Strawberry Pasta Salad featuring fresh basil, spinach, mozzarella, and strawberries.
If you happened to see my last post, you know I’ve been on a serious strawberry kick!
The chickpea and I have been scarfing a carton a week and I adore sprinkling them on yogurt, oatmeal, salads, and sandwiches galore.
Wearing my trusty strawberry goggles, I whipped up this fun twist on a Caprese salad with tender pasta and juicy ripe strawberries.
It was so good, I basically licked my plate clean!
The combo may seem a little bit kooky but it’s super delicious and easily became a new favorite of mine. Since it’s a chilled pasta salad, it’s also wonderfully portable and makes a great portable lunch for work or school.
There’s this delightful kiss of sweetness from the strawberries that perfectly compliments the fresh basil, spinach, mozzarella, and pasta.
When these ingredients get all up close and personal with each other texture is pretty gosh darn phenomenal and the dressing?
DELISH! I’m totally loving this combo!
Caprese Strawberry Pasta Salad
Caprese Strawberry Pasta Salad
We're totally swooning over this scrumptious Strawberry Pasta Salad!
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta shells or spirals
- 1/2 cup mozzarella (balls or cubed)
- 1 cup roughly chopped fresh baby spinach
- 3/4 cup chopped strawberries
- fresh chopped basil, to taste
FOR THE DRESSING:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TBSP fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1.5 TBSP red or white wine vinegar
- 1.5 TBSP Italian seasoning blend (I love using Mrs. Dash)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Boil pasta per package instructions, strain, then rinse with cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, combine salad dressing ingredients in a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake well.
- Chop anywhere from 1-3 cups of baby spinach (add a little... or a lot!) and drizzle a little bit of the dressing over the leaves. Toss to lightly coat. I often like to take a few seconds to toss my hands in and gently massage the dressing into the spinach leaves. It helps remove some of the "squeakiness" of the veggie and makes it turn this luscious glossy green - love it so!
- Add pasta, strawberries, mozzarella pearls, and basil and add remaining dressing and mix well.
- Dive in and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Recipe yields hearty portions or 4 small sides.
If your go-to Italian blend has salt in it already (mine doesn't) then season to taste instead of defaulting to the 1/4 tsp sea salt the recipe calls for. You may want a pinch more or might like it without any extra. Let your tastebuds be your guide!
Crazy for balsamic? A drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze, or reduction would be AMAZING atop this sassy strawberry flecked salad!
If you get a chance to try this Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad, let me know!
You can leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS #PEASANDCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations! I can’t wait to see what you whip up!
It’s strawberry season!
Let’s celebrate by putting this ripe and delicious berries on everything in sight!
For a kiss of savory-sweet flavor, whip up a big bowl of Strawberry Salsa and don’t forget to add a scoop on top of this Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad.
Whipped Feta Strawberry Phyllo Cups make a fantastic party appetizer to share with friends.
Looking for something sweet? Try this Tropical Pineapple Strawberry Swirl Smoothie — it’s super delicious!
Kara
I cannot wait to try this! Just have to track down some of this pasta first
Sheila K.
I would make a beautiful pasta salad!
Jenn
That sounds glorious Sheila! Thanks for entering! <3
Julie Waldron
I’ve never heard of or even thought of pairing pasta & strawberries but this sounds deliciious! I would probably make a mac & cheese dish.
Jenn
Mmmm Mac and Cheese sounds glorious! Thanks for entering Julie! 🙂
Emily
What a brilliant idea, I love the sound of this!
Jenn
Thank yo Emily! 🙂
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Wow, now this is my kind of pasta salad!! Love that you added strawberries to it!!
Jenn
They were such a perfect pairing! Thank you Sam! 🙂
Latanya
I would make an antipasto salad
Jenn
Sounds fantastic, Latanya! Thank you for entering! 🙂
Katie Bellamy
I would make spaghetti!
Jenn
Chickapea Pasta is sooooo good with bolognese and red sauce – great idea + thanks for entering Katie!
Elaine @ Flavour and Savour
Must get my hands on that pasta! Brilliant idea to add strawberries, too!
Kavey Favelle
I really love using fruit in salads to add both colour, sweetness and texture. I think this looks just lovely.
Jenn
Thank you Kavey! 🙂
Sandi
You had me at all of those juicy fresh strawberries.
Cindy A.
I would make Chickpea Pasta’s greek pasta skillet with burst cherry tomatoes. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Krista
This sounds so good right now! Especially with all the hot weather we have been having!
sandra
I would make chickpea pasta, sauce, zuchinni, shrimp, squash.
Maqhi
This salad looks delicious, light, and filling. I love strawberries with spinach. I haven’t seen any of these brands at my grocery, but I’ll keep looking and ask the manager about stocking it. Terrific give away!!!
Maqhi
Forgot to mention what I would make…the better question is what wouldn’t I make! I’m a pasta girl!
Jenn
Thank you so much Maqhi!!! I’m stoked for you to get ahold of this pasta, it’s so wonderful every which way from classic with red sauce to smothered in pesto to light salads like this one – love it so!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama
This is such a great salad for the end of summer! 🙂
Jenn
Thank you Carrie!
Gena
Just love this, Jenn! I don’t get creative enough about using fruit in savory recipes, but this post is mighty good inspiration 🙂
Jenn
I was guilty of the same until about a year ago and now I’m obsessed with fruity savory dishes! So excited for you to join me Gena! 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
I need to get my hands on this pasta. It sounds delicious! Your salad is absolutely gorgeous!
Jenn
You totally do! I know you’ll love it! Thanks Anna 🙂
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Brilliant, what a delicious flavor combo!
Jenn
Thank you Kimberly! It’s so tasty together 🙂
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
This salad is just perfect! Love everything about it– especially that gluten free pasta! What a refreshing meal.
Jenn
It’s so dreamy I want another bowl right now! Thank you Michelle! 🙂
Jen
This looks like such a light dish! I can’t wait to try it!
Jenn
Thank you Jen! 🙂
Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake
Oh yum! I have two pints of strawberries and a bag of spinach in my fridge right now! Looks like I’ll have to make this summery salad!
Jenn
Yay!!! It’s totally meant to be!
Rosie
I’d love to make a pasta salad chock full of veggies from the farmer’s market!
Jenn
Sounds fantastic Rosie! 🙂
Bianca Munoz
I know my husband would whip up something new, fun, and Delicious!
Jenn
Love it! Thanks Bianca! 🙂
Taylor
Okay, this pasta salad is right up my alley!!! Caprese pasta salad and fresh strawberries?! Sold!!
Jenn
Haha thank you Taylor! It’s a fun combo for sure! 🙂
Maggie Unzueta
Great giveaway, and that salad looks so yummy!
Jenn
Thank you Maggie! It’s super delicious!
Nocrumbsleft
Love this for summer… So fresh and delicious. Can’t wait to try it and I love the contest
Jenn
It’s soooooooo good!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
What a beautiful and delicious looking pasta salad!! I’ve never heard of that pasta but I can’t wait to look for it in the store! I’m inspired to make this for Labor Day!
Jenn
Gah thank you Elaine!!! It’s for sure worth hunting down – such a tasty pasta and I love your idea to serve it for Labor Day – perfecto! 🙂
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated
I’ve been getting really bored with salads recently, but this looks way too fun and yummy to be boring! I’ve never had spinach and strawberries together before. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Jenn
They’re a match made in heaven! So stoked for you to try it Nicola – thank you! 🙂
Janette | Culinary Ginger
This is a delicious use of seasonal strawberries and I need to try the pasta. The giveaway looks amazing I do happen to love Uncle Steve’s sauces.
Jenn
Thanks Janette! You’re going to flip over how good this pasta is — especially paired with some Uncle Steve’s sauce! 🙂
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