Recipes|Featured Main

Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad Photo
Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Prep Time:
    15 Minutes
  • Cook Time:
    PT25M
    10 Minutes
  • Yield:
    6-8 Servings
Pasta salad is the best! A superstar side dish, backyard BBQ mainstay or even a main course. Pesto, fresh mozzarella and ripe tomato make this summer staple come alive.
Ingredients
  • 1 (16 ounces) box short cut pasta
  • Olive Oil
  • 1 cup pesto
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced (or ciliegine or pearls)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Optional additions:
  • 1 cup red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup chopped spinach
  • 1 cup zucchini, chopped
  • ½ red onion, chopped
  • ½ cup artichoke hearts
  • ½ cup olives
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup canned beans, rinsed (cannellini or garbanzo)
  • Cooked chicken or shrimp
  • 1 (453.59g) box short cut pasta
  • Olive Oil
  • 236.59ml pesto
  • 226.8g fresh mozzarella, diced (or ciliegine or pearls)
  • 0.57L cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Optional additions:
  • 236.59ml red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 236.59ml chopped spinach
  • 236.59ml zucchini, chopped
  • 0.5 red onion, chopped
  • 118.29ml artichoke hearts
  • 118.29ml olives
  • 236.59ml broccoli florets
  • 236.59ml canned beans, rinsed (cannellini or garbanzo)
  • Cooked chicken or shrimp

Pasta salad is the best! A superstar side dish, backyard BBQ mainstay or even a main course. Pesto, fresh mozzarella and ripe tomato make this summer staple come alive.

Preparation
STEP 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta per package instructions. Strain. Add pasta to a large bowl and coat lightly in olive oil. Set aside to cool.

STEP 2

While pasta cooks prep your mozzarella, tomatoes, and any other ingredients of your choice.

STEP 3

Toss pasta with pesto and all your toppings. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use. Good eaten and enjoyed for up to 3 days.

Sign up for our weekly featured recipe