Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a new favorite!!

My favorite thing is that fresh mozzarella pasta salad is so light and is healthier than the salads caked with dressing (although I like those too). If you love pasta salad like me you’ll also love Chinese Pasta SaladLayered Pasta Salad, and Taco Pasta Salad.

Fresh mozzarella pasta salad in a white bowl

LIGHT + DELICIOUS

Spring and summer time means it time to break out the salads. I love salads all year long, but something about the warm weather makes me crave them ALL. THE. TIME! Are you with me?

It was a few years ago that I fell in love with the combination of fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato (anyone else Caprese fans?). It also wasn’t too long ago that I had Orzo pasta for the first time and fell in love as well.

Add all of these together and you have today’s recipe – Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad. It is a very simple recipe that is light and delicious. Even my hubby, who doesn’t enjoy salads too much, really liked it.

The salad is perfect for BBQs or potlucks and can be made pretty quick, making it a keeper. I know many people like Caprese salads (as do I), so next time I try it I may add a little bit of a reduced balsamic vinegar drizzled on top.

Having said that, this salad is great as is and I think you’ll enjoy it too. Here’s what you’ll need…

Cooked Orzo pasta in a white bowl

Making pasta salad with fresh mozzarella

Its so simple and takes just a few steps…

PASTA. Cook pasta according to directions on the box. Drain and let cool.

COMBINE. Add the pasta tomatoes, basil and cheese to a large bowl. Mix

DRESS + SERVE. Season with garlic salt. Add olive oil and gently mix until evenly coated. Right before serving, add the fresh cut basil to the top and serve.

White bowl filled with orzo pasta, fresh mozzarella, tomoatoes and basil

Tips, Variations + SToring info

Use whatever kind of pasta you prefer. Any kind that is small in size and shape should work great.

Serve this pasta with pretty much anything! Serve it with grilled meat, sandwiches, or wraps. 

I like the simple Caprese like ingredients we used for the salad, but you can always add in other ingredients. Some add in ideas include:

  • spinach
  • olives
  • Avocado
  • Add grilled chicken

Make this salad up to a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. 

STORE leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Add a bit of olive oil to freshen it up if needed.

Fresh mozzarella pasta salad in a white bowl

For More tasty Sides check out:

Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

5 from 10 votes
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
Course Salad
Cuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 1 person
Calories 1270 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese balls
  • 1/2 cup cherry/grape tomatoes halved
  • garlic salt (with parsley flakes) to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup basil fresh, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to the directions on the box. Drain and let cool.
  • Add the pasta tomatoes, basil, and cheese to a large bowl. Mix
  • Season with garlic salt. Add olive oil and gently mix until evenly coated.
  • Right before serving, add the fresh cut basil to the top and serve.

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

  1. What a quick and easy salad! Perfect for summer dinners when it’s too hot to do much cooking!

    1. It is definitely a quick and easy recipe!! It is also so good and perfect for summer! Hope you give it a try.

  2. Your photos are making my mouth water! I am going to have to make this when I can start harvesting basil from the garden. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    1. Haha…this recipe is definitely mouth watering! Fresh basil from the garden is the best. Enjoy!

  3. Hi Kristyn,
    I LOVE your headshot – you are beautiful! However, whenever you have a new post, it shows up in my feedly (blog reader) for each of your posts no matter what the subject is. Most of the other blogs I follow have a picture having to do with that post. I am a blog hoarder so I do a lot of skimming and I am a picture person so it would help if you could change it to show a picture from the post. Not sure how to do it but I thought I would mention. You have a lot of great stuff!

  4. 5 stars
    I love this lite pasta salad. Living in Las Vegas during the summer time you are always looking for twists of cold summer meals. This is definitely a keeper.

  5. 5 stars
    This is such a yummy salad! I loved the fresh mozzarella with the fresh tomatoes. It helps the summer season linger in my kitchen just a little longer!

  6. 5 stars
    These flavors will carry summer time through for all year long! What an incredible difference fresh mozzarella makes!

  7. 5 stars
    This mozzarella pasta salad tasted so delicious and really easy to make! Will surely have this again, thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Highly recommended!

  8. 5 stars
    Yes please! This has everything I LOVE in it! Love that you can throw in other fresh veggies too and it would be absolutely delicious!

  9. 5 stars
    Ive never used orzo pasta until this recipe. It worked well. The salad was light and bright. Ill defitly keep this recipe to make again.