A flavor-packed Pesto Pasta Salad with tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, mozzarella, and toasted pine nuts. This delectable salad is the perfect summer salad for grilled chicken, fish, or steak. I love to make this with my homemade pesto sauce, but for speed and ease, store-bought will work as well.
We are always up for a good pasta salad, especially during the hot summer months, when a nice, cool one is always appreciated. This pasta salad, Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad, Tuna Pasta Salad, and Taco Pasta Salad are just a few of our favorites.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Pasta: I like to use fusilli pasta, but other good choices are farfalle, penne, rotini, and corkscrew. Just make sure to cook it slightly al dente and to drain it very well.
- Tomatoes: Use any sun-ripened tomatoes, including grape, cherry, or garden or greenhouse varieties. Just chop in bite-sized pieces to complement the salad.
- English cucumbers: Use English cucumbers for tender skins that don’t need peeling. If using regular cucumbers, peel them to remove the thick skin before slicing.
- Mozzarella balls: Mozzarella balls are available in the fresh cheese case at most grocery stores. You can substitute cubes or even shredded mozzarella if that is all that is available.
- Pesto sauce: Use homemade or store-bought.
- Pine nuts: You can substitute walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
How to make Pesto Pasta Salad
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Start by cooking your pasta until slightly al dente, then drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella balls, cucumbers, and pesto sauce. Stir gently to combine.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Finally, sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on the top of the pasta salad.
Preparation Tips For Success
- Cook the pasta slightly al dente. Al dente means the pasta is slightly chewy and firm. This is always the best way to cook pasta for pasta salad.
- Fresh homemade pesto sauce is so flavorful. If you have the time and energy, it is well worth the effort.
- To make this the day before, only combine with half the pesto sauce, cover and refrigerate. Toss with the remaining pesto sauce right before serving.
More Salad Recipes
Doritos Taco Salad
Chef Salad
Thai Chicken Salad
Tomato Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fusilli pasta
- 1½ cups grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1½ cups sliced English cucumber
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls
- ⅓ cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup fresh pesto sauce or store-bought
- ¼ cup pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions (slightly al dente) and drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella balls, red onion, and pesto sauce. Stir gently to combine.
- Add the pine nuts to a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, stirring very frequently. Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on top of the pasta salad.
Notes
Nutrition
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Julie Ann
I do love a good pasta salad in the summertime and pesto always feels so refreshing! thank you for sharing your recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Julie Ann.
Ebony
This pasta salad was soooo good! I loved how fresh it was and so easy to make. Can’t wait to make it again!
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it, Ebony!
Marysa
Pesto is one of my favorite ingredients, especially in the summer. This salad was so pretty and so darn delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome. Marysa!
Lisa
Yum! This was so fresh and flavorful! I love pesto pasta salad, especially with the mozzarella and fresh veggies. This is perfect for a summer picnic or family barbecue.
Rhian
I love a pesto pasta salad, it’s one of my go tos but generally to buy not make (naughty me!) I really need to make some of this to leave in the fridge and have for my lunches when I’m working
Beth Pierce
You should try it! You will love it!
Yolanda
We are huge pasta fans, the children would choose it daily if they good. It is always great to be able to try out new recipes.
Carol
Pesto is very popular among my friends and family but would you believe I had never made it? It was delicious and easy to make and the pasta salad was divine. I will hold on to this recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Carol!
Kira
I love anything to do with pesto, it’s my favorite, I had never made it from scratch but now I know it is easy and delicious! Great pasta salad recipe.
Richard Lowe
Well, I know now what I’ll be making for dinner tonight. I’ll just have to cut down the ingredients for one person.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Richard! Enjoy!
Amber Myers
I’d love this salad! It has so many of my fave things in it. I just love mozzarella balls. This will be perfect the next time we have burgers.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amber! Enjoy!