Fresh Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Summer Meal
A quick and easy fresh pesto pasta salad with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, perfect for summer lunches or BBQ sides. This vibrant salad combines al dente pasta with creamy pesto, sweet tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella for a light yet satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 g) short pasta like rotini or penne
- ½ cup (120 ml) basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- 1½ cups (225 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces (225 g) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or torn pieces
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.
- In a large bowl, combine ½ cup (120 ml) basil pesto with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil and the zest of 1 lemon. Stir well.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the pesto dressing. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly without mashing the noodles.
- Fold in 1½ cups (225 g) halved cherry tomatoes and 8 ounces (225 g) fresh mozzarella balls or torn pieces, being careful not to overmix.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add a splash of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
- Optional: Chill the salad in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.
Notes
If pesto is too thick, stir in a tablespoon of warm water before tossing. Soak mozzarella in cold water for 10 minutes if it feels dry. Add mozzarella last minute if preparing ahead to prevent it from becoming watery. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Swap mozzarella for tofu or vegan cheese for dairy-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 14
Keywords: pesto pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil pesto, quick lunch, summer meal