This Pesto Pasta Salad is delicious and can be prepared in under 20 minutes using only a few ingredients.
This salad is perfect for a gathering or barbecue as it can be made beforehand. It contains pesto, mayo, cucumbers, tomatoes, mozzarella, and noodles, making it a popular choice for a large group.
Pesto Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser ideal for any event, from small get-togethers to large family reunions. It’s a dish that’s as much about the flavor as the texture.
Combining zesty pesto, al dente pasta, and savory vegetables creates an incredible side dish, or add chicken and make it a meal!
Ingredients for pesto salad with pasta
- Pasta shells – I love medium-sized pasta shells, but any pasta will work, even linguine.
- Mayo – this balances out the oil in the pesto and adds a touch of creaminess.
- Pesto – while you can make this from scratch, I prefer the “easier” route and buy store-bought. I love Rana Basil Pesto because it tastes incredibly fresh.
- Cherry tomatoes – fresh is always best!
- Mini cucumbers – I prefer these, but English cucumbers would work, too; I love the sweet touch the mini cucumbers give to the pasta salad.
- String cheese sticks – I mean, who doesn’t always have these in one hand? I love using these in all sorts of dishes.
Making your Pesto Pasta Salad
Follow the instructions on the package to cook the pasta. After cooking, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water.
Add the pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and cheese cubes to a large mixing bowl; toss to combine.
In a small mixing bowl, stir the pesto and mayo until well combined.
Pour pesto/mayo over pasta and toss to combine.
Garnish with parmesan cheese, fresh basil, or toasted pinenuts if desired.
More pasta salad recipes!
There are plenty of options for those looking to add a little more variety to their pasta salads. Check out a few of our personal favorites.
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta shells
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 12.5 ounces pesto
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 mini cucumbers
- 6 string cheese sticks sliced into cubes
- parmesan cheese optional topping
- fresh basil optional topping
- toasted pinenuts optional topping
Instructions
- Follow the instructions on the package to cook the pasta. After cooking, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water.
- Add the pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and cheese cubes to a large mixing bowl; toss to combine.
- In a small mixing bowl, stir together the pesto and mayo until well combined.
- Pour pesto/mayo over pasta and toss to combine.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese, fresh basil or toasted pinenuts if desired.
Video
Looks beyond delicious! Adding on our must make list!
Pesto makes this pasta salad irresistible! Great summer dinner idea!
I really like dishes with lots of vegetables, and I believe that with the recipe you share, this dish will be very delicious.