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The Ultimate Fresh Pesto Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella

A close-up of a serving of pesto pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, and small mozzarella balls.
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Make this refreshing pesto pasta salad for your next gathering. It combines al dente pasta with fresh basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. This cold pasta salad is easy to prepare and perfect as a BBQ side dish or make ahead salad.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or small shell pasta
  • 1 cup fresh basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained and halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain well.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and sliced red onion.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice.
  4. Pour the pesto dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Season the salad with salt and black pepper to your preference.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the pesto pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to combine.
  7. Before serving, toss again and garnish with toasted pine nuts, if using. Serve chilled as a refreshing salad or side dish for grilling.

Notes

  • You can make this cold pasta salad up to one day ahead. Store it covered in the refrigerator.
  • If you are adding chicken for a more substantial meal, cook and dice one pound of chicken breast and toss it in with the other ingredients.
  • For a Caprese Pasta Salad variation, focus on high-quality tomatoes and mozzarella.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/pesto-pasta-salad-recipe-ultimate-fresh/