Vegan Caprese Pasta Salad (Homemade Vegan Mozzarella)

Caprese pasta salad is the ultimate spring and summer dish. This version is fully vegan and made with easy homemade vegan mozzarella.

the inspiration

Some recipes have a great source of inspiration and others don’t. To be honest, this is the latter. Before I went vegan I always loved Caprese salad, simple but oh so delicious.

This pasta salad is just that! It has minimal ingredients but it is simply delicious. Making it perfect for gatherings, meal prep lunch, or when you just want something really good!

what is Caprese salad?

If you have never had or heard of Caprese salad it is a very simple salad from Capri. It usually consists of tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, salt, and olive oil. That is it!

It is said Caprese salad originated about 100 years ago. The colors are of course representing the Italian flag. If you are interested in a little bit more of the history of Caprese salad, you can about it in this blog post.

vegan mozzarella balls

Listen, growing up fresh mozzarella was my ABSOLUTE favorite thing. It was truly one of the hardest things for me to leave behind when I went vegan. BUT I truly do think my way of making vegan mozzarella balls works out so beautifully.

The recipe is made with extra firm tofu. For this Caprese pasta salad I did want the vegan mozzarella balls to be really little. There is a brand that makes small ones and they call them mozzarella pearls. That was the size I was going after.

So, all you do is take ¼ teaspoon measuring spoon and scoop out little balls of tofu! Place them in a brine of non-dairy milk, olive oil, salt, and water. Let them sit overnight or up to 48 hours and then they are ready to use. I have a pickling strainer basket that works really well for this method.

If you want bigger vegan mozzarella balls you can use a melon baller or 1 teaspoon measuring spoon. It is very easy to customize the size you want.

which pasta shape is best?

I do not subscribe to the idea that all pasta tastes the same. Yes, it is all made from the same ingredients. However, it is the different textures, shapes, and sizes which makes certain shapes better for recipes.

For a pasta salad I either love farfalle (like I used), rotini, cavatappi, or fusilli. You can also have a lot of fun and use gnocchi or vegan tortellini!

I do not recommend using something like penne or spaghetti as it is not quite the right shape for a pasta salad. Again, this is in my opinion do what you like in your own kitchen!

Of course if you have a gluten allergy just use gluten-free pasta. I also love to use protein pasta so I can sneak in a little extra protein. I like Barilla, Carbe Diem, or Brami.

making the caprese pasta salad

After the vegan mozzarella balls have finished brining you are ready to make the Caprese pasta salad! Boil your pasta according to package instructions. Then, once it is done drain the pasta and let it cool for 10 minutes.

You do not need to run the pasta under cold water! I actually like for the pasta to be warm when you mix it up with everything as it helps the oil and balsamic to coat things better.

In a large bowl add in the pasta, halved grape tomatoes, vegan mozzarella balls, basil, oil, balsamic vinegar, and balsamic glaze. Toss everything to coat in the oil and vinegar.

You can then just add a bit of salt and black pepper to taste! You can either enjoy this right away while the pasta is slightly warm or place it in the fridge until you are ready to eat.

I also like to add an extra drizzle of the balsamic glaze right over top before serving. It adds nice flavor. You can also add a few fresh basil leaves as garnish.

why you’ll love this recipe

This vegan Caprese pasta salad is very easy to make. It comes together in no time and it is a fun spin on a very traditional Italian dish.

As we get ready for warmer months, gatherings, parties, potlucks, and beach days this is type of meal you will want to have on repeat!

This is also hearty enough to be a main or a side dish. So, it is a very versatile dish.

vegan caprese pasta salad faq

• Is this recipe soy free? No, the vegan mozzarella balls are made from tofu. However, you can sub in a store-bought vegan mozzarella like Miyoko’s if you prefer that is nut based. You can also use my recipe for homemade vegan cashew mozzarella here as well.
• Is this recipe nut free? Yes.
• Is this recipe gluten free? As long as you use gluten-free pasta.
• How long does this last in the fridge? Up to 4 days.
• Can I add other things to this? Of course you can customize things how you like in your kitchen!
• What should I serve this with? You can totally enjoy this all on its own. However, I think it would be a great side dish for a Vegan Chicken Caesar Wrap, a Homemade Burger or enjoy it with Grilled Corn!

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