Pesto Pasta Salad: Spend with pennies
Pesto Pasta Salad: Spend with pennies

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!

A large bowl of pesto pasta salad

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 in a large bowlIngredients for pesto pasta salad in a large bowl

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.
Ingredients for pesto pasta salad in a bowl next to pesto dressingIngredients for pesto pasta salad in a bowl next to pesto dressing

How to make pesto pasta salad

  1. Cook pasta: Boil pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
  2. Preparation dressing:Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl. according to the recipe below.
  3. 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.

Pesto Pasta Salad in a BowlPesto Pasta Salad in a Bowl

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!

A large bowl of pesto pasta saladA large bowl of pesto pasta salad
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Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or main dish!

Preparation timetwenty minutes

Cooling time2 hours

Total Time2 hours twenty minutes

a large pot with a lida large pot with a lid

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  • 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.
*If using homemade pesto, pasta salad and leftover pesto should be refrigerated and consumed within 3 days.

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.

CoursePasta, Salad, Garnish
KitchenAmerican, Italian
Bowl of pesto pasta salad with writingBowl of pesto pasta salad with writing
plate of pesto pasta salad with a titleplate of pesto pasta salad with a title
Fresh pesto pasta salad in a bowl and plated with a titleFresh pesto pasta salad in a bowl and plated with a title
Fresh pesto pasta salad in a bowl with a titleFresh pesto pasta salad in a bowl with a title

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