Caprese Pasta Salad With Sofrito Vinaigrette

In honor of Domestic Gourmet’s tasting event at the Mazzaro’s Italian Market, I was inspired to create something familiar yet unexpected—something that honors tradition while inviting guests to experience Latin flavor in a fresh, elevated way. An Italian–Latin fusion dish that’s bold, bright, and irresistibly fresh. Hence, Caprese Pasta Salad With Sofrito Vinaigrette. The best part? It’s so quick and easy to make and I do believe it’s a stunner.

Flavor Concept

This pasta salad blends Italian ingredients—like pasta, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella, Latin depth from sofrito, Domestic Gourmet Annatto Oil, and a citrusy kick from sour orange juice. It’s the perfect union of comfort and culture—sophisticated enough for a tasting event, but easy enough for summer lunches or cookouts. Feel free to substitute with lemon, lime or vinegar of your choice. Or, choose your favorite protein and add it atop to round out a perfect weeknight dinner. H

Why Caprese with Sofrito?

Why not? This vibrant twist takes the herbaceous charm of a classic Caprese salad and levels it up with the bold, savory depth of sautéed sofrito and Domestic Gourmet’s signature annatto oil. Inspired by an upcoming tasting at Mazzaro’s Italian Market in St. Petersburg, I wanted to create something familiar yet unexpected—something that honors tradition while inviting guests to experience Latin flavor in a fresh, elevated way. It’s a flavor-forward fusion that’s guaranteed to stand out among even the most delicious of Italian offerings.

Caprese Pasta Salad with Sofrito Vinaigrette

An Italian–Latin fusion that’s bold, bright, and irresistibly fresh.

Servings 8 people (as a side dish)

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Equipment

• Small Frying Pan
• Chef's Knife
• Cutting board
• Kitchen Spoon
• Measuring Spoon
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 1 lb short pasta (like fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella (pearls or cubed)
• ½` cup small red or white beans, rinsed and drained
• ¼ cup fresh basil chiffonade
• salt & pepper to taste

Sofrito Vinaigrette

• 3 tbsp Domestic Gourmet Annatto Oil
• 2 tbsp sofrito
• 2 tbsp sour orange juice can substitute with lemon, lime, red wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar
• salt & pepper to taste

Optional:

• 1 tsp fresh oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

Cook the pasta:

• Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.

  Boiling time varies depending on the pasta. Please refer to the instructions located on your chosen pasta packaging.
• Once al dente, toss lightly in a drizzle of Annatto Oil to prevent sticking and set it aside in a mixing bowl.

Make the sofrito vinaigrette:

• Warm 3 tbsp Domestic Gourmet Annatto Oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp sofrito and sauté until fragrant and tender (about 2–3 min).
• Remove from heat. Stir in sour orange juice.

  If using oregano and red pepper flakes, add them in this step.
• Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust acid or salt as needed.

Assemble the salad:

• Combine cooked pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, beans, and basil in a large bowl. Pour the warm vinaigrette over and toss until everything is evenly coated.

Chill & Serve:

• Chill for 30 minutes to let flavors marry, or serve immediately at room temperature.

Pro tip:

• It can be made the day before serving. The extra time will give the ingredients time to mature beautifully.
• Top with your favorite protein to round out into a full meal.
• If serving as an entree, this recipe serves four adults, or two adults and three young children.

Notes

Notes on including your child(ren): This recipe is a complete sensory activity for your little chef(s), from the aroma of the sautéed sofrito to the bright orange hue of annatto oil and the juicy pop of tomatoes. It engages touch, smell, sight, and taste—all essential for developing well-rounded palates and positive food memories.

Have your little chef(s) rinse the tomatoes, tear the herbs, and the mozzarella. Sharpen their critical thinking by asking them questions. What does it feel like? What does it smell like? What does it taste like?

Your older chef(s) can cut the tomatoes and mozzarella. Have them try chiffonading the basil. This solidifies self-confidence and sharpens fine-motor skills.

Have a teenager? Encourage them to sautée the sofrito and watch as they practice mindfulness while focusing on the temperature and texture.

Every dish is a chance to nourish more than just the body. It’s an opportunity to pass down culture, spark creativity, and remind children that they belong in the kitchen, too.

Calories: 317kcal

Course: Appetizer, brunch, Main Course, Pasta, Salad

Cuisine: Fusion, Italian, Latin American

Keyword: aceite de achiote, annatto oil, brunch, brunch buffet, Caprese, easy, Pasta Salad, Quick & Easy, recipe, salad, Sofrito, vinaigrette

Nutrition

Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1mg

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below, tag @domesticgourmetfoods on Instagram, and hashtag #cookwithdomesticgourmet.

About the Author: Ciji Castro

Ciji Castro is the CEO and Executive Chef behind Domestic Gourmet, a premium food and lifestyle brand rooted in honoring ancestral cooking and Latin traditions. With a deep love for bold, heritage-inspired flavors and clean ingredients, Ciji leads the vision and culinary direction of Domestic Gourmet’s product line.

Her flagship product, 🌿 Domestic Gourmet Organic Annatto Oil (Aceite de Achiote), brings vibrant color and flavor to every dish—celebrating the flavors of her Cuban and Puerto Rican roots while meeting the standards of today’s health-conscious kitchens.

Through Domestic Gourmet, Ciji is on a mission to share the richness of cultural cooking with a modern and convenient twist—one thoughtfully crafted product at a time.

Follow along at @domesticgourmet for recipes, cooking tips, and more.

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