Summer Pasta Salad Pesto Mozzarella (Printable)

Bright pasta, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella for a refreshing Italian-inspired summer meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.5 oz (300 g) short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or farfalle
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables & Cheese

03 - 9 oz (250 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 7 oz (200 g) fresh mozzarella balls, drained and halved
05 - 2 oz (50 g) baby arugula or fresh basil leaves

→ Pesto Dressing

06 - 4 tablespoons fresh basil pesto (about 2 oz/60 g), store-bought or homemade
07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Additions

09 - 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
10 - Zest of 1 lemon

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to halt cooking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella halves, and arugula or basil leaves.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk the basil pesto with olive oil until the mixture is homogenous.
04 - Pour the pesto dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat the ingredients evenly.
05 - Season with freshly ground black pepper. For added flavor and texture, include toasted pine nuts and lemon zest if desired.
06 - Serve immediately for a fresh taste, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to develop deeper flavors.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • Trust me: this salad tastes even better after chilling, so leftovers are genuinely rewarding.
  • The combination of pesto and lemon zest gives each bite a bright, fresh lift that feels like summer in your mouth.
02 -
  • Once, I skipped rinsing the pasta—don’t, it turns out sticky and ruins the salad’s freshness.
  • Adding lemon zest right before serving keeps its zing alive instead of fading into the mix.
03 -
  • Don’t rush the tossing step; gentle mixing prevents the pasta from breaking and guarantees each piece stays coated.
  • Finish with a drizzle of top-notch olive oil—it’s the simple secret that elevates everything.
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