Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

This delicious and simple Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe can be put together in less than 20 minutes.

Made with penne pasta with arugula tossed in a creamy basil pesto dressing, this colorful salad is both flavorful and filling, making it perfect as a side or as a meal in itself.

What makes pasta salad so good?

Pasta salad combines together two favorites meals in one bowl- pasta and salad.

Adding a few veggies and tossing it in a simple sauce makes pasta salad a perfect and easy dish.

Have you tried my recipe for Homemade Mini Pita Bread?

Made with just five ingredients, that tasty bread is fluffy and light with a slightly chewy texture. This pasta salad would go great when served with that tasty mini pita bread.

Basil pesto is used to make the dressing that this salad is tossed in. You can find basil pesto here.

Why you will love easy pesto pasta salad.

This pesto pasta salad is bursting with delicious and fresh flavors. It is a colorful salad idea that is especially perfect on a warm day.

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• It takes less than 20 minutes to put this salad together.
• Personalizing this pasta salad is as easy as swapping out your penne pasta with another pasta such as rotini or farfalle.
• This salad can be prepared in advance and tossed together just before serving.
• Leftovers taste great the next day as is or as part of a larger salad.

Ingredients you will need to make homemade pasta salad with arugula.

• Penne Pasta. Cooked al dente according to the directions on the packaging.
• Basil Pesto. Used for the dressing.
• Plain Greek Yogurt Or a Mediterranean Diet Friendly Mayonnaise such as some avocado mayos, can be used instead.
• Arugula leaves Spinach leaves or similar leaves can be used with or instead. Your leaves should be rinsed and dried.
• Cherry tomatoes Bite-sized tomatoes add a colorful and flavorful element to this salad.
• Feta Cheese Diced or crumbled depending on your preferences.
• Onion. Thinly sliced red onion or diced green onions.
• Nuts. Pine nuts, chopped walnuts or similar chopped nuts can be used.

Expert Tip 👉 The yogurt and basil dressing can be swapped out for another dressing. I have recipes for Mediterranean diet friendly dressing here.

How to make this Mediterranean diet Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes .
Servings: 8 as a side or 4 as a meal. .

1. Prepare. Prepare your pasta al dente if you have not done so. Then run cold water over the pasta to help stop the cooking process. Allow the pasta to fully drain and cool.
2. Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt/mayonnaise with the basil pesto.
3. Toss. In a large bowl, toss together your cooled pasta with your pesto mixture until the pasta is fully coated.
4. Combine. Add the arugula, tomatoes, feta, onion, and nuts to the bowl and toss gentle.
5. Serve. You can serve your salad as desired, as a side or a main course.

Tips for making the best Pasta Pesto Salad

This salad can be prepared in advance. Simply toss the pesto mixture with the pasta, cover, and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve the salad you can add the remaining ingredients.

More helpful tips for you.

1. While my salad was made with penne pasta, about any other bite-sized pasta could work in this recipe. For a more colorful pasta salad you can use bite-sized colorful pasta .
2. Not a fan of the Greek yogurt dressing or basil pesto used in this recipe? You can use your own favorite base or pesto instead.
3. Take this recipe up a notch by tossing in your favorite protein. Cooked shrimp or sliced chicken breast could work in this recipe.

How to store leftover pasta salad.

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored and refrigerated, leftover pasta salad should keep for up a could of days.

You may also be interested in these tasty salad recipes.

• 5 Ingredient Citrus Salad (Mediterranean Diet, Vegan)
• Vegetarian Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
• Spinach and Berry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
• Easiest Greek Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing
• Cucumber Salad With Honey Vinaigrette
• Mediterranean Diet Couscous Salad

Print the recipe for Pesto and Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe, a vegetarian and Mediterranean diet recipe made with Penne pasta and arugula tossed in a creamy dressing.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.