Pesto Pasta Salad

This post contains affiliate links.

This easy Pesto Pasta Salad requires 6 simple ingredients and just a few minutes to prepare, made with pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella and any bite-size noodles. 

Pasta salads can be served as a main dish with a side of grilled corn on the cob and fresh fruit, or as side dish served with something off the grill, like my favorite Marinated Chicken.

If you're looking for a super fast and easy summer side dish that's packed with flavor, this one is for you! I love adding homemade basil pesto to this recipe but it's delicious with a high quality store-bought pesto too, and you can add the pesto straight from the jar.

Ingredients needed:

• Pasta: I use farfalle but any bite-size noodles will work.
• Tomatoes: any chopped fresh tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes.
• Cucumber: I prefer English cucumbers or mini cucumbers.
• Fresh Mozzarella, cut into chunks.
• Pesto: Homemade or store-bought.
• Parmesan cheese: freshly grated.

How to Make Pesto Pasta Salad:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Add pasta to a large bowl and stir in pesto.
3. Add tomatoes, cucumber and fresh mozzarella cubes and toss to combine. Top with parmesan cheese.

Serve Pasta Salad with:

Marinated Chicken

Baked Beans

Corn on the Cob

Fresh Fruit Salad

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!

Save Print Pin Review Add as a trusted Google source

5 from 125 votes

Pesto Pasta Salad

Author: Lauren Allen

This easy Pesto Pasta Salad only requires 6 ingredients and a few minutes to prepare, made with pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella and any bite-size noodles. 

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 5

Ingredients  

0.5x1x2x?

• ▢ 8 ounces farfalle pasta, , whole wheat or white
• ▢ 3/4 cup basil pesto, , homemade or store bought
• ▢ 2 cups cherry tomatoes, , halved (I use half red and half yellow)
• ▢ 2 mini cucumbers, , sliced
• ▢ 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, , cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• ▢ 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions 

• Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.  
• Add pasta to a large bowl and stir in pesto. 
• Add tomatoes, cucumber and fresh mozzarella cubes and toss to combine. Top with parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh cracked pepper, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 1005mg, Potassium: 326mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 2286IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 311mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Text me new recipe ideas!

Simple, tasty ideas sent once a week. No spam.

Text Signup

Have you tried this recipe?!

RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.

I originally shared this recipe May 2016. Updated May 2020 with new photos and improved instructions.