Description
A bright, festive pasta salad tossed in fragrant basil pesto with juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, briny olives, and crunchy red pepper, perfect for holiday gatherings or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil, then add 12 ounces rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, halve 2 cups cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup red bell pepper, slice 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, and drain 8 ounces mozzarella pearls.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and toss to coat so the pasta does not clump.
- Add 1/2 cup basil pesto to the pasta and fold gently until the pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, sliced olives, and mozzarella pearls, folding gently to combine.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the salad, season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste, and toss once more to distribute seasoning.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld, or serve immediately at room temperature. Garnish with extra Parmesan shavings and toasted pine nuts if desired.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water generously to season the pasta from the inside out.
- Toss pasta with a little olive oil before adding pesto to prevent clumping.
- For the brightest green pesto color, add a squeeze of lemon juice to the pesto before mixing.
- If making ahead, store components separately and add pesto just before serving to keep color vibrant.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx.)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: pesto pasta salad, holiday pasta salad, basil pesto, mozzarella pearls, rotini