9jakitchenblog
August 1, 2025

Make the best Pesto Pasta Salad with fresh basil pesto, vegetables and mozzarella. An easy, colourful, healthy side dish perfect for picnics and BBQs.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Nothing says summer quite like a colourful bowl of Pesto Pasta Salad bursting with vibrant vegetables, creamy mozzarella and aromatic basil pesto. Whether you’re planning a family picnic, preparing lunch for work, hosting a barbecue or simply craving something fresh and satisfying, Pesto Pasta Salad delivers incredible flavour with very little effort.

The beauty of Pesto Pasta Salad lies in its versatility. It is wonderfully light yet filling, packed with colourful vegetables and coated in a rich homemade or shop-bought basil pesto that transforms ordinary pasta into an unforgettable meal. Best of all, Pesto Pasta Salad tastes even better after chilling, making it an ideal make-ahead recipe.

If you’re searching for the perfect Pesto Pasta Salad, you’ve come to the right place. This easy recipe is loaded with fresh ingredients, requires minimal cooking, and can be customised to suit every taste. Once you try this delicious Pesto Pasta Salad, it will quickly become one of your favourite pasta salad recipes all year round.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

🌿 Fresh basil pesto creates an incredibly fragrant and vibrant flavour.
🥗 Colourful vegetables make every serving visually appealing.
⏱️ Ready in around 30 minutes.
👨‍👩‍👧 Perfect for feeding family and friends.
🍅 Ideal for picnics, lunches, parties and BBQs.
🧀 Creamy mozzarella balances the fresh pesto beautifully.
❄️ Tastes even better after chilling.
💚 Packed with vegetables and wholesome ingredients.
🥄 Easy to customise with your favourite additions.
⭐ A fantastic make-ahead dish for busy weekdays.

🥬 Ingredients Needed (Serves 6 People)

🍝 500g Fusilli Pasta – The spirals hold onto the pesto perfectly, ensuring every bite is full of flavour.
🌿 150g Basil Pesto – The heart of every delicious Pesto Pasta Salad, adding freshness and rich herb flavour.
🍅 250g Cherry Tomatoes (Halved) – Sweet, juicy and colourful.
🧀 200g Mini Mozzarella Balls – Soft, creamy and wonderfully mild.
🥒 1 Medium Cucumber (Diced) – Adds refreshing crunch.
🫑 1 Red Bell Pepper (Diced) – Provides sweetness and colour.
🫑 1 Yellow Bell Pepper (Diced) – Brightens the salad beautifully.
🧅 ½ Small Red Onion (Thinly Sliced) – Adds a gentle sharpness.
🫒 100g Black Olives – Gives a delicious Mediterranean flavour.
🌽 150g Sweetcorn – Adds natural sweetness.
🌱 2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil (Chopped) – Enhances the basil aroma.
🍋 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice – Brightens all the flavours.
🫒 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Helps coat the salad evenly.
🧂 Salt – Season to taste.
⚫ Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Adds gentle warmth.

🔪 Equipment Needed

🍲 Large Saucepan – For cooking the pasta evenly.
🥄 Colander – Used to drain the cooked pasta.
🥣 Large Mixing Bowl – Makes tossing the salad easier.
🔪 Chef’s Knife – For chopping vegetables neatly.
🪵 Cutting Board – Provides a safe preparation surface.
🥄 Large Spoon – For gently folding the ingredients together.
🥄 Measuring Spoons – Ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

👩‍🍳 Step-By-Step Guide

Cooking Instructions:

Follow these detailed steps carefully to make perfect Pesto Pasta Salad every single time.

Step 1 – Cook The Pasta

🍝 Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil.
🍝 Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions until al dente.
🍝 Drain thoroughly.
🍝 Rinse briefly under cold water to stop further cooking.
🍝 Leave to cool completely.

Step 2 – Prepare The Vegetables

🍅 Halve the cherry tomatoes.
🥒 Dice the cucumber.
🫑 Chop both peppers.
🧅 Thinly slice the onion.
🌿 Chop the basil.

Step 3 – Mix The Dressing

🥣 Combine pesto, olive oil and lemon juice.
🥄 Stir until smooth and evenly combined.

Step 4 – Assemble The Salad

🍝 Place the cooled pasta into a large mixing bowl.
🥗 Add tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, sweetcorn, olives, onion and mozzarella.
🌿 Pour over the pesto dressing.
🥄 Gently fold everything together until evenly coated.

Step 5 – Season

🧂 Add salt and pepper to taste.
🌿 Sprinkle chopped basil over the top.

Step 6 – Chill

❄️ Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
🍽️ Serve chilled or at room temperature.

✅Your Pesto Pasta Salad is ready to enjoy!🎉

homemade pesto pasta salad — **Pesto Pasta Salad**

💡 Tips For A Perfect Result

🍝 Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta until it’s just tender with a slight bite. Overcooked pasta can become soft and mushy once mixed with the pesto and vegetables.
❄️ Cool the Pasta Properly: After draining, rinse the pasta briefly under cold water or spread it on a tray to cool. This prevents the pesto from becoming oily and helps the salad stay fresh.
🌿 Use Fresh, Quality Pesto: Homemade basil pesto offers the best flavour, but if you’re using shop-bought pesto, choose a high-quality brand made with fresh basil, Parmesan, olive oil and pine nuts.
🫒 Add A Drizzle Of Olive Oil: Toss the cooled pasta with a little extra virgin olive oil before adding the pesto to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
🍅 Use Ripe, Fresh Vegetables: Sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and colourful peppers provide the best texture, flavour and visual appeal.
🧀 Add Mozzarella Last: Fold the mozzarella gently into the salad at the end to keep the cheese intact and prevent it from breaking apart.
🍋 Brighten the Flavour With Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice enhances the basil pesto and balances the richness of the cheese and olive oil.
🧂 Season Carefully: Taste the salad before serving and adjust the salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed, as pesto can already be quite salty.
🌰 Toast the Pine Nuts: Lightly toast the pine nuts for 2–3 minutes until golden. This brings out their nutty flavour and adds a pleasant crunch.
🥗 Mix Gently: Fold all the ingredients together with a large spoon rather than stirring vigorously to keep the vegetables and mozzarella looking fresh and attractive.
❄️ Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the Pesto Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavours to meld together and makes the salad even more delicious.
🌿 Garnish Just Before Serving: Finish with fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and a little cracked black pepper for the best presentation and flavour.
📦 Refresh Leftovers: If the Pesto Pasta Salad has been stored in the fridge, stir in an extra spoonful of pesto or a drizzle of olive oil before serving to restore its creamy texture.
🍗 Turn It Into A Complete Meal: Add grilled chicken, cooked prawns, roasted vegetables or chickpeas for extra protein and a more filling main course.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

🍗 Serve alongside grilled chicken.
🥩 Pair with grilled steak.
🐟 Enjoy with grilled salmon.
🍤 Serve with prawns.
🥪 Pack for picnics.
🍔 Enjoy at summer BBQs.
🍞 Pair with garlic bread.
🥗 Serve as a light lunch.
🧺 Take to potluck dinners.
🍋 Garnish with lemon wedges.

🌈 Variations

🥑 Add avocado.
🍗 Include grilled chicken.
🍤 Add cooked prawns.
🥓 Stir in crispy bacon.
🌶️ Add chilli flakes.
🥬 Include spinach leaves.
🧀 Add grated Parmesan.
🌰 Mix in toasted pine nuts.
🍄 Add roasted mushrooms.
🌱 Make it vegan using dairy-free pesto and vegan mozzarella.

📋 Recipe At A Glance

🍽️ Recipe Name: Pesto Pasta Salad
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6 people
⏱️ Preparation Time: 20 minutes
🍳 Cooking Time: 10 minutes
⌛ Total Time: 30 minutes
🌟 Difficulty Level: Easy
🥗 Course: Salad, Side Dish, Main Course
🍴 Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Mediterranean
🔥 Calories: Approximately 420 kcal per serving
🌿 Diet: Vegetarian

Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

Pesto Pasta Salad is a fresh, vibrant and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for picnics, BBQs, meal prep or a light family meal. Tender pasta is tossed with fragrant basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, crisp vegetables and toasted pine nuts, creating a colourful salad that's bursting with flavour in every bite. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile recipe is a delicious way to enjoy a wholesome and satisfying meal any time of year.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian-Inspired, Mediterranean

Servings 6 People

Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

1 Large Saucepan: For cooking the pasta evenly.
1 Colander: Used to drain the cooked pasta.
1 Large Mixing Bowl Makes tossing the salad easier.
1 Chef's Knife - For chopping vegetables neatly.
1 Cutting Board - Provides a safe preparation surface.
1 Large Spoon – For gently folding the ingredients together.
Measuring Spoons Ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

Ingredients

500 g Fusilli Pasta
150 g Basil Pesto
250 g Cherry Tomatoes – Halved
200 g Mini Mozzarella Balls
1 Medium Cucumber – Diced
1 Red Bell Pepper – Diced
1 Yellow Bell Pepper – Diced
½ Small Red Onion – Thinly Sliced
100 g Black Olives
150 g Sweetcorn
2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil – Chopped
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil – Extra Virgin
Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper