Pesto Pasta Salad is easy to make and hard to resist!
In this fresh and easy side dish, pasta is tossed with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil in a quick, creamy pesto dressing.
It's perfect for cookouts, picnics and parties or a simple lunch or dinner!
An easy meal or side dish
- go ahead, cool and serve when ready. Easy peasy!
- This salad is pretty to look at and delicious.
- Enjoy like a meatless main course or serve with grilled chicken or bay shrimp.
- Perfect potluck, this easy meal is also a favorite at barbecues and gatherings.
Ingredients for pesto pasta salad
- Pasta—Choose pasta with ridges, loops, or tubes for the dressing to adhere to. Cavatappi (corkscrew), farfalle (bow tie), penne, rifleor rotini are great options for this salad.
- Bandage—The dressing is a simple combination of pesto sauce, mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar. Store-bought pesto makes this dish easy, but if you have a garden with fresh basil, you can make it at home. pesto It is easy to do.
- Cheese—Bocconcini are small balls of fresh mozzarella that can be found in almost any supermarket. You can also cube a large ball of fresh mozzarella and use it in this recipe, or you can use crumbled feta instead.
- Accessories—Grape or cherry tomatoes add freshness, while sun-dried tomatoes and olives add flavor to this pasta salad recipe.
- Variations—Add your summer favorites, like corn on the cob, fresh spinach, red onion, or diced cucumbers. Top with fresh avocado cubes.
How to make pesto pasta salad
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- Preparation dressing:Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl. according to the recipe below.
- Mix and cool:Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and let sit in the refrigerator before serving.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Advance and leftovers
TO go ahead, prepare all ingredients a day or two in advance and store them separately. Mix a few hours before serving.
Leftover pesto pasta salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you use homemade pesto, you can store it for up to three days.
Mediterranean Inspired Pasta Salad Recipes
Did you make this pesto pasta salad? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!
Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or main dish!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions and drain well. Rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar.
In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, grape tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and olives. Add the dressing and stir well to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Chop the fresh basil and sprinkle on top just before serving.
- Rinse the pasta in cold water to prevent it from cooking.
- As the salad sits, it will absorb the dressing, so be sure to dress generously.
- Optional additions include Parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, capers, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
Calories:338 |Carbohydrates:3. 4gram |Protein:9gram |Fat:19gram |Saturated fat:3gram |Cholesterol:9mg |Sodium:449mg |Potassium:300mg |Fiber:3gram |Sugar:4gram |Vitamin A:760UI |Vitamin C:5.4mg |Calcium:86mg |Iron:1.2mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary depending on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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