Pesto Pasta Salad

5 from 5 votes

Pesto Pasta Salad is an easy and quick side dish with just 5 ingredients. Perfect for picnics and pot lucks, or add protein for a complete meal.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: servings

Calories: 305kcal

In a large pot bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just past al dente.
Note: Cooking time will vary based on the type of pasta you choose.
Drain the pasta. Pour pasta into a large bowl, drizzle with a few Tablespoons of pesto, stir, and allow the pasta to cool for about 15-minutes while you prep the rest of the recipe.
Toast the pine nuts over low heat, in a dry skillet, until they start to smell fragrant and have a little color on them, and then remove from the pan.
Set aside to cool completely. This step can be done in advance.
Slice cherry tomatoes in half.
(Chop larger mozzarella into bite-size pieces if using instead of mozzarella pearls)
Add the remaining pesto sauce and blend until very well coated.
Gently mix in the tomatoes and mozzarella pearls. If serving immediately add the pine nuts, otherwise reserve them and add in right before serving.
Serve at room temperature or chill for a few hours.

If you cannot find pearl mozzarella then substitute fresh mozzarella and cut it into bite-size pieces
If making this salad ahead of time (up to one day) reserve the pine nuts and add them just before serving
The best Pesto is always homemade pesto so try our easy recipe!
Choose a variety of cherry tomato colors for the most gorgeous presentation
To easily double this recipe simply slide the serving option on the recipe card above and the amounts will adjust.