Easy Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

This Easy Pesto Pasta Salad is a delightful dish perfect for summer gatherings and holiday celebrations. Combining fresh ingredients with a vibrant pesto sauce, it serves as a refreshing side dish that complements any meal.

With its simplicity and flavor, this Pasta Salad With Pesto is ideal for macro meals and can be enjoyed alongside a Fresh Fruit Salad for a complete summer feast.

Quick and Flavorful Pesto Pasta Salad

This vibrant Easy Pesto Pasta Salad is a delightful addition to summer gatherings and holiday celebrations.

With a combination of fresh ingredients and a rich green pesto sauce, this dish stands out as a refreshing side that pairs beautifully with any meal.

Whether served alongside a Fresh Fruit Salad or as part of a macro meal, this Pasta Salad Recipe is sure to impress.

This image displays all the fresh ingredients required for the easy pesto pasta salad recipe. It features uncooked pasta, vibrant green pesto, small mozzarella balls, ripe cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil leaves, and crunchy pine nuts, all neatly arranged in separate bowls.

Ingredients That Shine

The beauty of this Pesto Pasta Salad lies in its colorful components.

Featuring al dente pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella balls, each bite bursts with flavor.

Fresh basil leaves add a fragrant touch, while toasted pine nuts provide a delightful crunch.

For those who enjoy a sprinkle of cheese, grated Parmesan elevates the dish even further.

Preparation Made Simple

This Easy Pesto Pasta comes together in just about 20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy summer days.

Start by cooking the pasta to al dente perfection, then rinse it under cold water to halt the cooking process.

In a large bowl, combine the pasta with pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, tossing gently to ensure even coverage.

This image shows the process of preparing the pesto pasta salad. Cooked pasta is being gently tossed with halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves, ready for the addition of pesto and mozzarella.

Seasoning for Perfection

Once the ingredients are combined, it’s time to season the salad.

A touch of salt and pepper enhances the flavors, while optional toasted pine nuts add an extra layer of texture.

This simple step can make a significant difference in the overall taste of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish, and if desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for an added touch of richness.

This dish can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, making it versatile for various dining settings.

Perfect for summer side dishes, it complements grilled meats and vegetables beautifully.

This image presents the final dish: a vibrant and appetizing pesto pasta salad. The salad features pasta coated in green pesto, mixed with juicy cherry tomatoes, small white mozzarella balls, and garnished with fresh basil leaves, ready to be served.

Why It’s a Must-Try

This Easy Pesto Pasta Salad is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of summer flavors.

Its vibrant colors and fresh ingredients make it visually appealing, while the combination of textures keeps each bite interesting.

Whether for a holiday gathering or a casual picnic, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, making it a staple in your collection of summer side dishes.

Quick and Flavorful Pesto Pasta Salad

This Pesto Pasta Salad features al dente pasta tossed with homemade or store-bought pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil. The recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and serves 6 people, making it a great option for easy summer side dishes.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta (fusilli or rotini work well)
• 1 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella balls, halved
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Toss gently to combine.
3. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, stir in toasted pine nuts for added crunch.
4. Serve: Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if using. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 6 servings
• Calories: 320kcal
• Fat: 18g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 30g

Easy Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

Recipe by fxtadeusz@gmail.comCourse: Pasta, Salad

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta (fusilli or rotini work well)
  1 cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  1 cup mozzarella balls, halved
  1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)
  Salt and pepper to taste
  Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Directions

• Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and chopped basil. Toss gently to combine.
  Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, stir in toasted pine nuts for added crunch.
  Serve: Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if using. Serve chilled or at room temperature.