Caprese Orzo Salad (Printable)

Tender orzo combined with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 cup orzo pasta
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables & Cheese

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
05 - ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, sliced

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
10 - ¼ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and sliced basil leaves.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the combined ingredients and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Adjust seasoning to taste, then serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, yet tastes like you fussed over it for hours.
  • The warm pasta with cool tomatoes and creamy mozzarella creates a textural contrast that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • It's the kind of salad that actually tastes better a few hours later as the flavors meld together.
02 -
  • Never add the dressing until you're ready to serve or chill, because warm pasta will absorb it too quickly and the salad will taste dry by the time you eat it.
  • If you make this ahead, keep the basil separate and scatter it over just before serving so it stays bright green and aromatic.
03 -
  • Make your vinaigrette in a jar and shake it vigorously instead of whisking, which creates an even more stable emulsion that lasts longer without separating.
  • The quality of your mozzarella and tomatoes matters more than anything else here, so splurge on those two ingredients and let them shine.
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