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Best Ever Easy Pesto Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Tomatoes

A close-up of delicious pesto pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, fresh mozzarella balls, and halved cherry tomatoes.
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Make this refreshing cold pesto pasta salad for your next gathering. It combines pasta, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and homemade basil pesto for a simple, satisfying side dish or light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup prepared basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • 8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Place the cooled pasta in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the prepared basil pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour the pesto dressing over the cooled pasta. Toss gently to coat every piece evenly.
  4. Add the mozzarella balls, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped red onion to the pasta. Toss again until all ingredients are distributed.
  5. Cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
  6. Before serving, toss the salad one last time. Garnish with the chopped fresh basil leaves.

Notes

  • You can prepare this salad up to one day ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator. You may need to add a small drizzle of olive oil before serving if the pasta seems dry.
  • For a heartier meal, add 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken to make a chicken pesto pasta salad.
  • If you prefer a Caprese style, omit the red onion and add a few fresh basil leaves to the dressing mixture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/pesto-pasta-salad-recipe/