Pesto Pasta Salad with rotini, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella, and a delicious basil-pesto dressing is super easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Pesto Pasta Salad Is…
- A Summer Must-Try: This Pesto Pasta Salad is perfect for BBQs, picnics, or quick meals.
- Bursting With Flavor: Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and mozzarella with an incredible pesto dressing.
- Easy & Quick: Ready in 30 minutes or less with minimal hands-on time.
Let’s Talk Pesto
Use high-quality or homemade pesto for a flavorful salad; try my Pesto Recipe or buy fresh basil pesto like Rana’s® Basil Pesto from the grocery’s refrigerated section.
What To Do With Leftover Pesto
Fresh pesto adds flavor to many dishes and keeps well in the fridge for multiple meals. Beyond pasta, use it in sandwiches, pizzas, soups, and favorites like Creamy Pesto Pasta, Pesto Rice, Pesto Pizza, and Pesto Chicken Tortellini.
Pesto Pasta Salad Dressing Ingredients
- Fresh Pesto: Key ingredient for flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Full-fat preferred for flavor; light/fat-free will work.
- Sour Cream: Light/fat-free versions work too.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds savory depth; don’t use yellow mustard.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for brightness and balance.
Pesto Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Rotini Pasta: Use high-quality pasta, cook al dente.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Choose ripe, firm, bright red.
- Cucumbers: Grab English/Persian for crispness and *bonus* no peeling needed.
- Mozzarella Pearls: Use fresh, bite-sized for creaminess; or cube block mozzarella if unavailable.
- Fresh Basil: Tear by hand, add very last to preserve color and freshness.
How To Make Pesto Pasta Salad (Tips)
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Follow package instructions and test for doneness to avoid mushiness.
- Salt Pasta Water: Salt cooking water for flavorful pasta from the inside out.
- Cool Pasta First: Refrigerate pasta until cool to keep veggies crisp and prevent dressing becoming oily.
- Choose Quality Pesto: High-quality pesto elevates the flavor.
- Season to Taste: Adjust with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or honey as needed.
What To Serve With Pesto Pasta Salad
- Grilled Chicken: Complements pesto salad; try with Italian Chicken Marinade.
- Grilled Steak: Grilled Flank Steak pairs perfectly.
- Garlic Bread: Adds a crispy, garlicky touch.
- Fresh Fruit: Light, refreshing side; consider strawberries, watermelon, grapes, or try our Fruit Salad Recipe or Tropical Fruit Salad.
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
- Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad with rotini, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella, and a delicious basil-pesto dressing is super easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 lb (16 oz) rotini pasta (Note 1)
- Fine sea salt & pepper
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1½ cups cucumbers, cut into half moons
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- Optional: fresh basil
Dressing
- 1 cup fresh basil-pesto (Note 2)
- ¼ cup full-fat mayo
- 3 tbsp sour cream (light is great)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- PASTA: Bring a large pot of water (12 cups) to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and return to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain the pasta, but don't rinse it under water. Toss it a few times as it cools, then put it in the fridge to finish cooling.
- DRESSING: Meanwhile, combine the dressing ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Season to taste, I add ½ tsp salt & ¼ tsp pepper, but it will depend on how salty your pesto is!
- ASSEMBLE: Once the pasta is completely cooled, add the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and mozzarella pearls to the bowl. Use a spatula to scrape every bit of dressing on top, and then gently stir to combine. If desired, rip some basil leaves and stir them through. Taste the salad and adjust the flavors as needed, adding extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
- ENJOY: Enjoy the pasta salad on the same day it's made, but it will last up to three days in the fridge. Toss well before serving.
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Rotini Pasta is ideal for salads due to its shape; high-quality brands like Barilla recommended.
Note 2: Use high-quality Pesto for best flavor; my homemade pesto recipe is great, or save time with store-bought, fresh basil pesto like Rana's® Basil Pesto, found near refrigerated pasta and cheese.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 813IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 175mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this with Farfalle pasta and of course everything I make of yours is amazing ! Love the crunch of the cucumber!
You made my day! I am so thrilled to hear you loved this Pesto Pasta Salad! Thanks Victoria! 🙂
This was sooo yummy! Bright and refreshing flavor. I enjoyed it for summer picnic lunches. Thanks!
Yay! So happy you’re enjoying! Thanks Demi!
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use vegan cheese / mayo and coconut cream i love pesto sooooooooooooo much i never had pesto pasta salad before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Delish! I hope you enjoy! Thanks Ramya! 🙂