Pesto Pasta Salad

Discover the perfect summer salad! This vibrant Pesto Pasta Salad combines homemade basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy bocconcini, and peppery arugula for a refreshing and flavorful meal. Perfectly garnished with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves, this dish is an easy and flavorful option for any meal. Easy to make and perfect for picnics or potlucks!

Tired of boring pasta salads? Get ready to be amazed by this fresh and flavorful Pesto Pasta Salad! This vibrant dish is packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with Mediterranean flavors. The creamy basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, and peppery arugula create a harmonious blend that will leave you wanting more. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or simply looking for a delicious weeknight meal, this pesto pasta salad is sure to impress.

This pesto pasta salad is destined for your next gathering. Or at least, that’s what I hope! This recipe is light and so fresh. It’s perfect for parties, picnics, and weeknight dinners, from spring through fall. Leftovers keep well for lunch, too.

After making the homemade basil pesto in my previous recipe, so this is one of how to use basil pesto with pesto pasta salad. Please stop by if you haven’t made it yet!

Homemade Basil Pesto

Pesto Pasta Salad: A Quick, Easy, and Flavorful Meal

Craving a delicious and hassle-free pasta salad? Look no further than this easy pesto pasta salad recipe! It’s packed with flavor and can be on your table in just 30 minutes.

Here’s what makes this pasta salad so great:

• No chilling required: Enjoy this pasta salad at room temperature for a quick and easy meal.
• Simple to make: Anyone can whip up this pasta salad with basic cooking skills.
• Incredibly versatile: Customize it with your favorite ingredients and adjust it to your preferences.
• Hearty and satisfying: Add Genoa salami, shrimp, or rotisserie chicken to make it a filling dinner option.
• Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it in advance and bring it to room temperature before serving for stress-free entertaining.
• Scalable: Easily adjust the recipe to serve a small group or a crowd.
• Perfect for potlucks: This pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser that will be a hit at any gathering.
• Delicious leftovers: Enjoy the leftovers for a satisfying meal the next day.

This pesto pasta salad is a refreshing departure from bland, overly creamy options. It’s packed with flavor and texture, thanks to the homemade pesto and fresh vegetables.

Make this pasta salad your go-to for summer get-togethers, picnics, and cookouts. It’s a versatile and delicious option that will impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.

What’s in Pesto Pasta Salad

• Spiral Pasta; Any short shape your heart desires! I use Spiral pasta, also known as fusilli, which is an excellent choice for this salad because its twists and turns capture and hold onto the pesto sauce, ensuring that every bite is flavorful.
• Salt for cooking pasta; infuses the pasta with flavor from the inside out. Without it, the pasta might taste bland,
• Basil Pesto; Check my recipe here; I use homemade basil pesto.
• Cherry Tomatoes halved; Add freshness and twist texture, use whole grape tomatoes or halved ripe cherry tomatoes for the best texture and sweetness, also their juicy flavor contrasts beautifully with the savory pesto.
• Fresh Arugula; I like to add some type of leafy greens into my pesto pasta salads for a hint of freshness and to provide a textural contrast. I love the peppery flavor that fresh baby arugula adds in here, plus its texture holds up well for a few days in the fridge if you make this salad in advance.
• Bocconcini drained; My add-in of choice, so it’s not just all pasta. Love the combo of juicy tomato and the soft bites of bocconcini. Bocconcini are small, round balls of fresh mozzarella cheese. They are soft, creamy, and have a delicate flavor that pairs well with the pesto and other ingredients. Draining them before adding them to the salad ensures they don’t water down the dressing.
• Mayonnaise; Not intended to make this a greasy mayo-laden pesto pasta salad! But a little dab goes a long way to give pesto pasta salad an edge of creaminess so it stays nice and “juicy” even the next day. It makes a difference. if you’re not into may, just add a little extra olive oil.

Garnish

• Toasted Pine Nuts; Finally, I highly recommend adding in some toasted pine nuts for crunch and an extra dose of that rich buttery flavor. Toasting them brings out their natural oils, intensifying their nutty flavor, which complements the pine nuts already in the pesto. Or if you don’t happen to have pine nuts on hand, sliced almonds are delicious here too!
• Fresh Basil Leaves; Abundant and excellent value during summer! as a garnish to reinforce the basil flavor of the pesto and add a pop of bright green color. They also contribute a fresh, herbal aroma when the salad is served.

Let’s mix Pesto Pasta Salad

Boil the Pasta

1. First, bring a large saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, add a generous amount of salt—about 2 tablespoons—into the water. This step is crucial as it enhances the flavor of the pasta.
2. Next, add the spiral pasta to the boiling water and cook it until it reaches an al dente texture. This means the pasta should be firm to the bite, which is important for maintaining the right texture in the salad.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it thoroughly. To stop the cooking process and cool down the pasta, rinse it under cold running water. After the pasta is well-drained and cooled, transfer it into a large mixing bowl.

Mix the Ingredients

1. Now that the pasta is ready, it’s time to add the other ingredients. Start by adding the homemade basil pesto to the pasta, followed by the mayonnaise. The mayonnaise helps to create a creamy texture and bind the ingredients together.
2. Then, add the halved cherry tomatoes, which provide a burst of sweetness, the drained bocconcini for a creamy, mild flavor, and the fresh arugula for a peppery, leafy texture.
3. Stir and toss the salad gently but thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated with the pesto and well combined.

Garnish and Serve

1. Finally, transfer the mixed pasta salad to a serving plate or bowl. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, garnish the salad with toasted pine nuts, which add a delightful crunch and a nutty undertone.
2. Additionally, scatter some fresh basil leaves on top for a fragrant and visually appealing finish.
3. Your Pesto Pasta Salad is now ready to enjoy! Serve it immediately or store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat.

Pesto Pasta Salad with homemade basil pesto is a delightful dish that brings together the best of Italian flavors and fresh ingredients. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a picnic, or meal prep, it’s a versatile and delicious option that’s sure to impress. With the tips and variations provided, you can customize the salad to suit your taste and dietary needs, ensuring that it’s a dish you’ll come back to time and again.

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