Pasta Pesto Salad
A refreshing Pasta Pesto Salad made with tender pasta, crisp cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and a vibrant pesto dressing.
12 Servings
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta cooked according to package directions, drained, and cooled with cold water
- 3 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber peeled and diced
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella balls
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the pasta
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Once tender, drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Prepare the vegetables
- Peel and dice the cucumber into small pieces. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and set them aside.
Combine pasta and pesto
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Add vegetables
- Incorporate the diced cucumber and halved cherry tomatoes into the pasta mixture. Stir gently to combine.
Season and add mozzarella
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add the fresh mozzarella balls, stirring carefully to distribute them throughout the salad.
Garnish and serve
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
To prepare this salad gluten-free, substitute the pasta with certified gluten-free pasta. Confirm that the pesto sauce and mozzarella used are labeled gluten-free.