This quick recipe is easy enough for even beginner chefs to prepare. Plus, you can serve it at room temperature, warm, or as a cold Caprese pasta salad for maximum flexibility. Basil pesto pasta salad makes an irresistible side dish for grilled meat and veggies. You could even have it by itself for a satisfying yet simple lunch. If you need a potluck-ready recipe, you can easily make this cold pesto salad for a crowd. Whether you need a pasta salad for a baby shower, summer barbecues, or weeknight get-togethers, these Caprese flavors will be a big hit.
Ingredients
For this pasta pesto salad recipe, gather pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese pearls, shredded parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. To make the Pesto Dressing, you’ll need basil leaves, pine nuts, minced garlic, white wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, parmesan cheese, kosher salt, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
How to Make This Recipe
This cold pasta pesto salad comes together in a cinch. With only simple ingredients, you’ll be able to sample this summer dish in fewer than 10 steps.
Make the Pesto Salad Dressing
Make the Pasta Salad
How to Store
This recipe for pesto pasta salad is a must-have for easy meal prep. Whether you prepare this dish in advance or store leftovers for later, cut your assembly time in half with these simple tips.
Make ahead: To make this pesto mozzarella pasta ahead of time, chop up the tomatoes and prepare the pesto. Store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to a couple of days. Then, cook your pasta just before you’re ready to eat, assemble the salad, and serve in a large salad bowl. Storage: Pesto pasta will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freezing: Though possible, I don’t recommend freezing this pasta salad recipe. The pasta will lose its texture and not taste as great when thawed.
Expert Tips
Five-star eats aren’t just for professional chefs. Now you can make this pesto pasta side dish perfect every time with a handful of pro tips.
Side dish with grilled food: This creamy pesto pasta side dish recipe makes the ultimate pair with all your fresh-from-the-grill favorites. You won’t be able to put down your fork when you taste this recipe alongside my Grilled Shrimp and Shrimp Kabobs. Light lunch with a green salad: Few lunch recipes are as simple, satisfying, or fresh as this healthy pairing. Serve this cold pasta with pesto as the main course with Asparagus Salad or Spring Mix Salad for an unbeatable lunch combo. Top it off with chicken breasts: Want to turn your mozzarella pesto pasta salad into a nutritious and filling meal? Top it off with my Oven-Baked Chicken Breast or leftover Baked Chicken Parm and voila! Skip the hassle of weeknight meal prep with this easy main dish.
Season the pasta water well: Want to give your pasta great flavor? Salt is the answer! Your pasta water should taste like ocean saltwater when cooking. Cook the pasta al dente: I suggest cooking your pasta al dente—usually 11-12 minutes—to give your pesto salad the ideal texture. Multiply the recipe: This pasta Caprese salad recipe is a godsend when you’re cooking for a crowd. Simply multiply the recipe as many times as necessary to serve your guests. Additional salt: Pesto is usually pretty salty on its own, so be sure to taste your fully prepared pasta salad before adding more salt.
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