Pesto Pasta Salad with al dente pasta, bocconcini, and juicy cherry tomatoes tossed in a rich pesto sauce. It’s a light yet satisfying delicious lunch meal that’s sure to please the crowd!
Have I told you I love pesto? I love that it is so quick and easy to make, just a handful of ingredients, a few whirls in the food processor and you have a batch that stores well for days in the refrigerator and complements most dishes. I love it drizzled over baked fish, on rice and of course, this pesto pasta salad.
Dinner can’t get any easier than this, you guys! I made my own pesto sauce because, you know, I like punishing myself with more work, but you can very well pick up a jar of your trusted brand and have this pasta dish ready in a pinch.
This pesto pasta is pretty flexible, feel free to add more or less of the pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella, or cherry tomatoes according to your taste. I love how the sauce gets into every crook and cranny of the fusilli but you can swap your favorite noodle. The recipe can be easily doubled and leftovers keep well in the fridge and are just as awesome next day for packed lunches to work. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 cup mini boconccini (fresh mozzarella balls)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- Parmesan cheese
For the Pesto Sauce (about 1 cup)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground pepper
Instructions
- In a pot over medium heat, bring about 4 quarts salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne and cook according to package directions for about 11 to 13 minutes or until firm to bite.
- Remove from heat. Rinse with cold water and drain well.
- In a food processor, combine pine nuts, basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and pepper until smooth.
- In a serving bowl, combine cooked pasta, boconccini, cherry tomatoes, and pesto sauce. Stir well to combine. Garnish with more Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Refrigerate to chill and allow flavors to meld. Serve cold.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
First Published on January, 14, 2013.
Nadine Cathleen says
This looks super yummy! And best of it, it looks easy to make 🙂
Lalaine says
Thanks, Nadine 🙂
Claire Santiago says
I love pesto and i love to incorporate it with any dish I make at home. Thanks for sharing this, I now have new dish to try for the family…
Lalaine says
Pesto sauce is so versatile, I haven’t found any dish I didn’t like it with. Maybe ice cream 🙂 Thank you, Claire
Cheryl F says
This looks very delicious! I would love to try this home. My son loves pasta and hopefully he’ll love this one too. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Lalaine says
My pleasure, Cheryl! Enjoy!
Chloe says
Mmmm pesto is sooooo good! And I also love cheese! It is like this recipe was made for me!
Sauumye Chauhan says
I’m a huge pasta lover. I love pesto sauce. Will surely try out the recipe.
Lalaine says
Please do, you’ll love it!
Carol Cassara says
I love pesto! Especially with pasta or bread. I think it’s awesome and easy to make. It’s definitely one of my favorite sauces.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Carol!
stacey says
This is one of my favorite summer salads. Everyone love sit, especially the kids.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Stacey!
Nay says
This loves so yummy. I” sure even my fussy toddlers will like this!
David Elliott says
I love pasta with pesto. It looks like this amazing pasta I had at this sandwich shop when it was in Berkeley. I will have to check this out.
Lalaine says
Thanks, David! I hope you like this!
Amber Myers says
This looks so delicious! I am a huge fan of pasta with mozzarella.
Lalaine says
They are indeed a great combination 🙂
Jessi Joachim says
This looks delicious! I am going to pin this and save it to make later this week.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Jessi 🙂
Nina says
Oh my goodness this looks so yummy! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe, I want to try this out!
Lalaine says
I hope you do, it’s delicious 🙂
robin Rue says
That sounds super tasty. I think my whole family will enjoy this meal.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Robin!This is such a good, family friendly dish!
JM Castro says
This post made me very hungry lol. I’m craving for some pasta right now.
Lalaine says
It’s so quick and easy to make you can satisfy your cravings right now 🙂
Sharee says
looks so refreshing!
Lalaine says
Thank you, Sharee 🙂