Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

I love easy recipes that I can throw together in a snap to bring to get-togethers and this one definitely fits the bill. With only four ingredients, you are going to love this Easy Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

The flavors of the fresh mozzarella and the ripe cherry tomatoes go perfectly with the pesto in this salad. This is also a great summer time recipe because you can make your own pesto with basil from your garden and grab a container of cherry tomatoes from the farmer’s market. I would say to get those from your garden too, but my kiddos usually eat those plants clean.

Ingredients for Pesto Pasta Salad

Here are the simple ingredients that make up this delicious pasta salad recipe. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe including all measurements.

• Pasta:  I used cavatappi because those spirals hold pesto sauce so well, but you could also use elbows. Get something with a curl to it.
• Tomatoes: You want to get cherry tomatoes because they hold up best in this pasta salad, maintaining their shape and not getting mushy.
• Mozzarella Pears: I went for the pearls because they mimic the same size and shape as the tomatoes which is great for bites. You could also go with the big ball, but make sure you buy fresh mozzarella.
• Pesto Sauce: See more on making this from scratch below.

Cooking Your Noodles to Perfection

It sounds like a no brainer, but one of the big keys to a perfect pasta salad recipe is the noodles. Following the directions on the box is always a great idea, since different noodle types (i.e. penne, cavatappi, elbow macaroni) for a different lengths of time.

Make sure to bring your water to a roaring boil before adding the pasta. Salt the water. Cook the noodles based not the time on the box. Drain when they have just a little bit of a bite left to them.

Since this pesto pasta salad recipe  is a cold pasta salad, you want to drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to stop them from cooking. 

More Great Summer Sides

I’ve been bulking up the blog with great recipes for you guys to bring to your summer picnics and BBQs in addition to this pesto pasta salad. Here are a few I am loving:

• Italian Pasta Salad:  This one is a classic. It is easy to throw together and more than that, I love how beautiful it looks. But I’m kind of a nerd like that.
• Strawberry Spinach Salad:  The poppyseed balsamic dressing on this salad is to die for. Your family will love this and you will love how easy it is to make!
• Pico de Gallo:  Every great party needs great appetizers, and I’m in love with this simple recipe for how perfect it is.
• Bacon Spinach Salad: This spinach salad with it’s bacon and water chestnuts is a hallmark of my family get togethers!

More Great Pasta Salad Recipes

If you are looking for even more pasta salads to bring to a party, make sure you check out these goodies:

• If you are looking for a classic that is always a hit make my Taco Pasta Salad.
• My mom’s Crab Pasta Salad is my personal favorite.
• I can never get enough of this Greek Pasta Salad.

If you make this Pesto Pasta Salad recipe for your family be sure to leave me a comment letting me know what you think.