Description
This Pesto Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful summer recipe loaded with tender pasta, vibrant vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and homemade-style pesto flavor. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, and easy make-ahead lunches, this colorful salad comes together in just a few simple steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta or bow tie pasta
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls or diced fresh mozzarella
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- Grilled chicken
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Roasted bell peppers
- Pine nuts
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta cools, slice tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Combine ingredients: Add cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, cucumber, red onion, and basil.
- Add the pesto: Pour pesto sauce over the pasta mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Enhance the flavor: Add olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Chill the salad: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Serve: Toss once more before serving and garnish with extra basil and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For the best flavor, prepare this pasta salad a few hours ahead of time. If making overnight, reserve a little pesto to refresh the salad before serving since pasta absorbs the sauce as it chills.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pesto pasta salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe, cold pasta salad, basil pesto pasta salad, picnic pasta salad