Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer side dish — tossed in vibrant homemade basil pesto, loaded with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and arugula. Ready in 30 minutes, perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and meal prep
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4
Calories 420 kcal
For the Pasta Salad:
- 1 pound rotini or fusilli pasta whole grain works great for extra fiber[cookieandkate]
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved (or grape tomatoes)
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cut into bite-sized cubes or use ciliegine (small fresh mozzarella balls)
- 2 large handfuls baby arugula about 2 cups, loosely packed
- ⅔ cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil drained and roughly chopped
- ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted and sliced
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts, pepitas, or sliced almonds
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For the Homemade Basil Pesto (or sub ¾ cup store-bought):
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more as needed
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts walnuts are a great budget-friendly substitute
- 2 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- **¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Step 1 — Make the Pesto (if making homemade)
Combine the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse several times to break everything down. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil through the feed tube until you reach a smooth, thick sauce. Taste and adjust salt and lemon. Set aside.
Step 2 — Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente — you want a slight bite, not mush. Before draining, scoop out about ¾ cup of pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta, then rinse thoroughly under cold running water until completely cool. Drain well.
Step 3 — Dress the Pasta
Transfer the cooled, well-drained pasta to a large mixing bowl. Pour all of the pesto over the pasta and toss vigorously until every piece is coated. If the pesto feels thick or the pasta seems dry, add a small splash (2–3 tablespoons) of the reserved pasta water and toss again. The pasta should look glossy and lightly sauced — not swimming in pesto and not dry.
Step 4 — Add the Mix-Ins
Add the cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and half the toasted pine nuts. Toss gently to combine. Add the fresh mozzarella and arugula last, folding them in carefully so the cheese stays intact and the arugula doesn’t wilt. Drizzle with the lemon juice and season generously with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Step 5 — Serve or Chill
Taste and adjust seasoning one final time. Transfer to a large, beautiful serving bowl. Scatter the remaining pine nuts and a generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan over the top. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for 30 minutes for a colder, slightly more melded flavor profile.
Keyword Pesto Pasta Salad