Cold Pesto Pasta Salad
This pesto and mozzarella pasta salad is ready in 15 minutes and it’s great comfort food. Pasta equals comfort. But it also has a summery feel from the fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. The best of both worlds. This pasta salad makes a ton and can feed a crowd. I like to think of the four P’s: potlucks, picnics, parties, and planned leftovers. The leftovers keep very well and if you’re looking for easy lunches or no-brainer dinners for the week, this is perfect. However, if you don’t need as much, you can always halve the recipe. You can serve it warm and fresh right away or chill it and serve it later.
What’s in Pesto Pasta Salad?
To make this cold pesto pasta salad recipe, you’ll need:
Bowtie pasta Cherry tomatoes Fresh mozzarella cheese balls Homemade pesto (or your favorite store bought pesto) Grated Parmesan cheese Black pepper Fresh basil
How to Make Pesto Pasta Salad
It doesn’t get any easier than this pasta salad with pesto!
Can I Use Store-Bought Pesto Instead?
There’s nothing better than homemade pesto because you just cannot beat the aroma and flavor of fresh basil, and it only takes 5 minutes to make. And in a recipe like this where pesto plays a key role, that’s another reason to make your own. But if you don’t want to, you can use store-bought prepared pesto. No shame. I recently tried Trader Joe’s Vegan Kale Cashew Pesto and was very impressed. They’ve also got a Pesto alla Genovese that’s great. However, use your favorite store bought pesto since it is a key ingredient.
How Long Does Pesto Pasta Salad Last?
This bow tie pasta salad will last up to 5 days in the fridge. You likely won’t need to add any extra salt to this dish whatsoever, especially since parmesan cheese is salty, too.
Tips for Making Pesto Pasta Salad
I used bowtie pasta but rotini, ziti, or your favorite small pasta shapes may be substituted. I used multi-colored cherry tomatoes and truthfully they don’t taste very different from each other, but they look really pretty in a dish like this. If all you can find are red cherry or grape tomatoes, they will be fine. You can also use diced heirloom tomatoes or even Roma tomatoes. Feel free to get creative and add in vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or spinach. With both the pesto and the parmesan, add to taste. I provided the measurements I used in the recipe, but you can always go lighter-handed at first, and add either more pesto, more parmesan, or both, to taste.
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
ALL OF MY PASTA SALAD RECIPES! This is a very flexible and easily adaptable pasta salad! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Italian Chicken Pasta Salad – Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and showcases some of my favorite summer ingredients. It’s perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs, or as a no-fuss family dinner! BLT Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and PERFECT for potlucks and parties. Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and BACON. Guaranteed family FAVORITE! Mandarin Orange Chicken Pasta Salad – EASY, ready in 30 minutes, and packed with Asian-inspired flavors!! Juicy sesame chicken, pasta, and lots of healthy vegetables! PERFECT for potlucks, picnics, parties, and planned leftovers!!
Chicken Orzo Salad – Juicy chicken tossed with orzo, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and a super flavorful lemon vinaigrette! Easy, healthy, ready in 30 minutes, and a perfect way to use your garden fresh veggies! Skinny Italian Chicken Pasta Salad – EASY, ready in 30 minutes, feeds a crowd, and is on the SKINNY side!! Juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and the pasta are tossed in a light and tangy homemade Italian lemon vinaigrette!! Taco Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!
