Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for warm weather meals. Combining fresh ingredients like rotini pasta, mozzarella pearls, cherry tomatoes, and homemade basil pesto, this salad is a great side dish or main course that’s light yet satisfying. Whether you’re preparing it for a summer cookout, a picnic, or simply for a family lunch, this pasta salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make, full of fresh, healthy ingredients, and can be prepared in advance, making it an ideal option for meal prepping or entertaining.

Full Recipe:

• Rotini pasta (or any short pasta of your choice)

• Cherry tomatoes, halved

• Mozzarella pearls or small mozzarella cubes

• Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)

• Fresh basil for garnish

• Homemade basil pesto (or store-bought)

• Pine nuts (optional for added crunch)

• Fresh lemon juice

• Grated parmesan (optional for extra flavor)

Directions

• Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions.

• Drain the pasta and allow it to cool.

• While cooling, prepare the pesto:

  • In a food processor, combine fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

  • Blend until coarsely chopped.

  • Slowly add olive oil and blend until smooth and creamy.

  • Set the pesto aside.

• In a large bowl, combine:

  • Cooled pasta

  • Prepared pesto

  • Halved cherry tomatoes

  • Mozzarella pearls

  • A drizzle of Italian dressing

• Toss until everything is evenly coated.

• Garnish with fresh basil leaves and optional extra parmesan cheese.

• Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to enhance flavor.

Nutrients

• Calories: 466 per serving

• Carbohydrates: 48g

• Protein: 13g

• Fat: 26g

• Saturated Fat: 7g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 10g

• Cholesterol: 15mg

• Sodium: 277mg

• Potassium: 137mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 2g

The Health Benefits of Pesto Pasta Salad

Not only is pesto pasta salad delicious, but it also comes packed with healthy ingredients that can benefit your body. The fresh basil in the pesto provides a wealth of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Basil is also a good source of vitamin K, which plays an important role in bone health, as well as magnesium, which supports muscle function. Combined with olive oil, which is a healthy fat known for its heart-healthy benefits, the pesto serves as a nutrient-rich base for this pasta salad.

Tomatoes, which are another key ingredient in this salad, are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system, and they also contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help fight inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Mozzarella cheese adds a good amount of protein and calcium to the salad, which helps support bone health and muscle function. The addition of fresh vegetables further enhances the dish’s nutritional profile, making it a balanced meal that provides a variety of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Why Pesto Pasta Salad is Perfect for Summer

Pesto Pasta Salad is a dish that feels inherently connected to the summer season. It highlights fresh, in-season ingredients like basil, tomatoes, and zucchini, making it a great way to take advantage of the best produce the warmer months have to offer. Pesto itself is a summer staple, made with fresh basil and garlic, and it perfectly complements the subtle flavor of the pasta and vegetables. The light, fresh ingredients keep the dish feeling fresh and vibrant, making it perfect for outdoor dining or bringing to summer parties.

The beauty of this pasta salad is that it’s light yet satisfying. While traditional pasta salads can sometimes be heavy with creamy dressings, the pesto provides a flavorful, olive oil-based dressing that doesn’t weigh you down. The combination of healthy fats from the olive oil and the cheese makes this dish satisfying, while the addition of fresh vegetables and herbs lightens it up. Whether you serve it as a side dish, a main course, or as part of a picnic spread, this pesto pasta salad is an ideal choice for warm days when you’re looking for something both filling and refreshing.

The Versatility of Pesto Pasta Salad

One of the most appealing aspects of pesto pasta salad is its versatility. It can easily be adapted to suit different tastes, dietary preferences, and what’s in season. While the traditional ingredients of pesto, pasta, tomatoes, and mozzarella are always a winner, this recipe allows for plenty of customization. For those who prefer different types of cheese, you can easily swap mozzarella for feta, goat cheese, or parmesan. Vegetarians can enjoy this dish as-is, but adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas would transform it into a more substantial main course.

Additionally, if you’re looking to make this salad more in line with your dietary needs, there are plenty of ways to adapt it. For example, you can use gluten-free pasta if you’re avoiding gluten, or even opt for spiralized zucchini or sweet potato noodles for a low-carb version. If you prefer a dairy-free pesto, there are plenty of vegan pesto options available, which still bring that delightful flavor without using cheese. The versatility of this dish makes it an excellent option for a wide range of dietary restrictions, and it can easily be adapted to fit what you have on hand.