Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad

Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is a bright and flavorful dish perfect for spring and summer gatherings or even meal prep. Made with spiral pasta, simple veggies, and a 3-ingredient, creamy pesto dressing. This salad is quick and easy to make, satisfying, and always a crowd-pleaser.

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What You'll Love About Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad

A great side dish for holidays, parties, potlucks, and BBQ's
Rich and flavorful
Easy to make in under 30-minutes
Add chicken for a complete meal

There is always a good time for pasta salad but especially now that spring is here and warmer days are ahead of us. Pasta salads are great for so many occasions like easy lunches for the week, a simple side dish option, holidays, and BBQ's.

This Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is bold and delicious. If you've ever enjoyed anything with pesto, you know the herby, garlicky punch of flavor it adds to every bite, and you'll love it in this salad.

With just a handful of ingredients and hardly any preparation, this salad can be whipped up in no time. It's the perfect mix of creamy, herby, tangy, and savoriness, with layers of flavor and texture. A big bowl of pure goodness!

Try my popular Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan Meal or Green Goddess Chicken Pasta Salad for more delicious pesto flavors.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for creamy pesto pasta salad. Spiral pasta, tomatoes, spinach, arugula, mozzarella, mayo, Greek yogurt, pesto, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and basil.

Pasta- I like using spiral pasta because the curves and ridges captures the creamy pesto sauce.
Tomatoes- Cherry tomatoes are great for pasta salads because they don't have a lot of seeds and the sweetness is a nice balance with the tangy pesto dressing.
Greens- I use a combination of arugula for a peppery flavor, along with spinach for nutrition and freshness.
Cheese- I like to use fresh, mini mozzarella balls for texture, and a salty rich flavor.
Dressing- Prepared pesto, mayo, plain, full-fat Greek yogurt, salt and pepper.
Parmesan cheese- Parm adds a wonderful nutty, salty flavor. We use this to garnish the top of the salad.
Fresh basil- Add this to garnish the pasta salad and add freshness.

Substitutions and Additions

Pasta- Use rotini, bowtie, large macaroni, or other medium shape pasta.
Veggies- More veggie options include fresh broccoli, zucchini, red bell peppers, or artichoke hearts.
Add bacon- For a smoky salty taste add crispy cooked bacon.
Add Chicken- Add grilled or shredded cooked chicken to complete the pasta for a tasty meal.
Pesto- Use homemade pesto or your favorite prepared pesto from the grocery store.

Highlighted Tip

If your pesto dressing is too thick- Depending on the consistency of your pesto sauce, you may need to thin out the dressing. Just use a splash of water or milk until the dressing pours nicely.

Three Simple Steps

See full instructions in recipe card below

Step One. Cook the pasta until al dente in a medium pot. Drain, and rinse with cold water.

Step Two. While the pasta cooks prepare the pesto dressing by combining pesto, mayo, and Greek yogurt.

Step Three. Add all the dressing to the cooked pasta along with tomatoes, arugula, spinach, and mozzarella balls. Toss to combine and top with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

Pesto dressing. Prepared pesto, mayo, and Greek yogurt thinned out with a little water.

Tips

💡Don't over-cook the pasta- Cook the pasta only until al dente. The pasta will soften a bit more after the pesto dressing is added.
💡Cool pasta completely- Make sure pasta is completely cooled before adding in the additional ingredients. Because we're using fresh arugula and spinach, you don't want the greens to wilt.
💡If your pesto dressing is too thick- Depending on the consistency of your pesto sauce, you may need to thin out the dressing. Just use a splash of water or milk until the dressing pours nicely.
💡Moisten dry pasta salad- The pasta salad may become less creamy as it sets. Try adding a splash of heavy cream or another dollop of mayo or Greek yogurt to revive the creaminess.

Common Questions

🗨What is the best type of pasta to use for pasta salad?

Shapes like rotini, fusilli, penne, or farfalle are ideal because they hold onto the dressing well. Spiral or corkscrew shapes are popular because they grip the creamy dressing.

🗨Can I make this pasta salad without mayo?

Yes! Simply swap the mayo for more Greek yogurt, sour cream, or you can even use finely mashed avocado.

🗨How long does pesto pasta salad last?

This pasta salad with keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in a sealed container.

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