Pesto Pasta Salad with rotini, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella, and a flavorful basil pesto is easy to make and always a hit!
author’s note
My Most Requested Pasta Salad!
I’ve made a lot of pasta salads over the years, but this Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe is one of the most requested and one of the easiest I make.
The first time I threw it together, I had leftover pesto in the fridge and just kept it simple. Pasta, a few fresh veggies, and a quick creamy dressing. That dressing is just five simple ingredients, but it completely makes the salad. It’s rich, fresh, and coats every bite without any extra effort.
This is the one I end up making again and again. It’s quick, super low effort, and holds up so well in the fridge. I bring it to BBQs, take it to gatherings, or pack it for long days out when I need an easy lunch that still tastes great hours later.
Here’s What You Need:
| Ingredient | Swap or Tip |
|---|---|
| Rotini pasta | Rotini holds onto the dressing really well. If you have extra, try my BLT Pasta Salad next! |
| Basil pesto | Use homemade or refrigerated fresh pesto like Rana’s basil pesto. |
| Cherry tomatoes | Grape tomatoes work great too. |
| Cucumbers | Use English or Persian for best texture. |
| Mozzarella pearls | Cube block mozzarella if needed. |
| Mayo & sour cream | Greek yogurt can work in place of sour cream for this pesto pasta salad recipe. |
| Lemon juice | Add a little more if it tastes flat. |
How To Make Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pasta: Boil pasta in well-salted water until al dente, then drain and cool completely.
- Dressing: Stir together pesto, mayo, sour cream, Dijon, and lemon until smooth.
- Prep add-ins: Slice tomatoes, chop cucumbers, and get mozzarella ready.
- Toss together: Add pasta and toppings to a bowl, pour dressing over, and gently mix.
- Adjust and serve: Taste and adjust seasonings. Add fresh basil right before serving.
chelsea’s recipe tip
What To Serve With This Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
- Grilled Chicken: Goes well with pesto salad; try with Italian Chicken Marinade.
- Grilled Steak: Grilled Flank Steak pairs perfectly.
- Garlic Bread: Adds a crispy, garlicky touch.
- Fresh Fruit: Light, refreshing side; consider strawberries, watermelon, grapes, or try my favorite fruit salad or tropical fruit salad.
Storage
- Store this pesto pasta salad recipe in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
- Stir before serving to refresh the dressing.
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
Pesto Pasta Salad
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup basil pesto see note 2
- 1/4 cup mayo full-fat
- 3 tablespoons sour cream light is great
- 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water (12 cups) to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and return to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain the pasta, but don’t rinse it. Toss it a few times as it cools, then put it in the fridge to finish cooling.
- Meanwhile, combine the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl. Season to taste; I add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, but it will depend on how salty your pesto is!
- Once pasta is completely cooled, add cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and mozzarella pearls to the bowl. Use a spatula to scrape every bit of dressing on top, then gently stir to combine. If desired, rip some basil leaves and stir them through. Taste the salad and adjust the flavors as needed, adding extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
- Enjoy the pasta salad on the same day it’s made, but it will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Toss well before serving.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this with Farfalle pasta and of course everything I make of yours is amazing ! Love the crunch of the cucumber!
You made my day! I am so thrilled to hear you loved this Pesto Pasta Salad! Thanks Victoria! 🙂
This was sooo yummy! Bright and refreshing flavor. I enjoyed it for summer picnic lunches. Thanks!
Yay! So happy you’re enjoying! Thanks Demi!
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use vegan cheese / mayo and coconut cream i love pesto sooooooooooooo much i never had pesto pasta salad before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Delish! I hope you enjoy! Thanks Ramya! 🙂