This delicious balsamic caprese pasta salad features a homemade creamy vinaigrette along with plenty of fresh grape tomatoes and basil, fresh mozzarella pearls, and marinated red onion for a subtle crunch. Make it in just 30 minutes for an easy side dish or meatless main course — or add some diced balsamic marinated chicken for a more substantial meal! Enjoy it immediately or make it in advance!
8ozfresh mozzarella pearlscan substitute fresh mozzarella, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2cupchiffonade cut fresh basil
For the dressing
1/3cupbalsamic vinegar
2tablespoonswhite wine vinegar
2clovesgarlicminced or pressed
1 1/2teaspoonswhite sugar
1teaspoondijon mustard
1teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoonoregano
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
1/2teaspoonthymepowdered
2/3cupolive oil
1/2cupmayonnaise
Instructions
Cut onion lengthwise into four sections and then cut fine slivers, creating skinny pieces of onion about an inch long. You should have about 2/3 cup but a little more or less is fine.Soak onion in white vinegar and 1/2 tsp kosher salt for 15-20 minutes (soaking longer will make the onion milder).
Meanwhile, cook penne pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water until pasta is room temperature. Set aside in a large bowl.
While pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients and the dressing. Cut grape tomatoes in half lengthwise and chiffonade cut the basil by stacking the leaves, rolling them tightly from side to side, and cutting thin slices across the roll (perpendicular to the stems).
For the dressing, combine all ingredients except olive oil and mayonnaise in a blender. While blender is running, drizzle olive oil in slowly to create a creamy emulsion.
Drain onions and discard the vinegar they were soaking in. Add grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, basil, and onions to the bowl with the pasta and toss to combine. Pour in the mayonnaise and about 2/3 of the dressing, mix again, and add salt and pepper and additional dressing to taste.
You can enjoy this pasta salad immediately but it's even better the next day when the flavors have had a chance to blend!