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5.0 from 84 votes

Pesto Pasta Salad

This pesto pasta salad is pasta with mozzarella cheese, olives, tomatoes and pine nuts, all tossed with fresh basil pesto. An easy side dish that's perfect for a potluck or picnic.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 423 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces corkscrew pasta or any short pasta type
  • 1 cup refrigerated basil pesto
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh mozzarella balls halved
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley plus more for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions.
  2. Drain the pasta and run cold water over the pasta to cool it down.
  3. Place the pasta in a large bowl along with the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, pine nuts, red onion and parsley.
  4. Pour the pesto over the top and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Serve, topped with additional pine nuts and parsley for garnish.

Notes

  • Go for the fresh pesto in the refrigerated section, it has much better and bolder flavor than the shelf stabled jarred pesto. Some of the brands I like are Kirkland (Costco), Rana and Three Bridges.
  • This salad will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information

Calories 423kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 48g (16%) Protein 15g (30%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 12mg (4%) Sodium 586mg (24%) Potassium 241mg (7%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 1060IU (21%) Vitamin C 8.5mg (9%) Calcium 178mg (18%) Iron 1.6mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 423

% Daily Value*

Calories 423kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 48g 16%
Protein 15g 30%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 586mg 24%
Potassium 241mg 5%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 1060IU 21%
Vitamin C 8.5mg 9%
Calcium 178mg 18%
Iron 1.6mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.