Full of tomatoes, artichokes, peas, and topped with a creamy pesto sauce; this Creamy Pesto Pasta salad is sure to be a favorite!
Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is perfect for dinner, BBQs, pot lucks, or a quick lunch. Using store bought pesto can save time, but making it homemade is super delicious too. Make this salad the night before serving it, then refrigerate it and serve the next day; the flavor is amazing!
How to make Creamy Pesto Pasta:
**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**
- While the pasta is boiling, prepare the creamy pesto sauce, and prep the vegetables.
- Mix everything in a large bowl, making sure everything is coated in the sauce, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
- TIP: Use a stock pot to cook your pasta, then mix everything in the same big pot.
How to make Homemade Pesto:
I have a great homemade pesto sauce recipe on Domestic Superhero, but it's very simple:
- 1 cup basil leaves, 1 TBS olive oil, 2 TBS pine nuts (or any nuts work well), 2 TBS parmesan cheese, pinch of salt and pepper.
- Place everything into a food processor, then process until combined. Scrape down the sides, then pulse a few seconds more. Store in a closed container in the refrigerator.
Can I switch the vegetables in this pesto pasta salad?
Of course! I like using tomatoes, peas, and artichokes in the this creamy pesto pasta, but if you don't like a certain component, you can always substitute it with something else or leave it out. That's the thing with pasta salad, you can pretty much throw whatever you want into it, and it will turn out delicious!
Can I add meat to this recipe?
YES! I would suggest adding shredded chicken. It would add protein to the recipe and some bulkiness if you are serving the salad as the main course. You could also serve this alongside Air Fryer Chicken Tenders and leave the meat on the side.
What to serve with Pesto Pasta Salad:
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos would be a great main course and the pesto pasta salad would make a great side dish.
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings are simple and would be great alongside this fresh pasta salad.
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs or Air Fryer Hamburgers would be the perfect summer meal to serve with this pasta!
- Air Fryer Fish with a side of pasta salad!
- Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Black Bean Burgers are deliciously cheesy, spicy hot, and protein packed black bean burgers! Perfect for the meatless grill option!
- Spicy Black Bean Avocado Burgers are spicy yet sweetened up with delicious honey BBQ sauce! Topped with a fresh avocado and pepper jack cheese - these are the perfect burgers!
- Spicy Black Bean Hawaiian BBQ Burgers will be a hit at your next BBQ, and even the meat eaters will be asking for this recipe!
If you like summer pasta salads as much as me, try these other recipes:
- Tuna Pasta Salad (Lightened Up)
- Creamy BLT Pasta Salad
- Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Pesto Caprese Potato Salad
Full of tomatoes, artichokes, peas, and topped with a creamy pesto sauce; this Creamy Pesto Pasta salad is sure to be a favorite!
- 1 lb pasta (I like rigatoni or a small circular pasta)
- 1 cup homemade or store bought pesto
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup frozen sweet peas
- 16 ounces artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, and chopped roughly
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into halves
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
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Cook pasta el dente according to directions, drain and set aside in a large bowl.
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In a small bowl mix pesto sauce and mayonnaise together and set aside.
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IN a large bowl or the same stock pot you used to cook the pasta, add pasta, peas, artichokes, and tomatoes. Pour pesto mixture over the top and toss to mix and coat evenly.
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Allow the salad to cool in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving, up to overnight.
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Garnish with additional cheese and fresh basil if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Jessica says
How do I make my own pesto?
Allyson says
Jessica! It's so easy!! Literally a handful of fresh basil leaves, a couple TBS of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup pine nuts, and a couple cloves of garlic. Put it all in the food processor and mix, then stream some Extra Virgin olive oil into the processor to get right consistency..probably 1/4 cup or so. Done! This is essentially what you are going for, https://domesticsuperhero.com/2012/08/27/arugula-lemon-pesto/ but it's done with arugula and almonds instead of typical basil/pine nuts
Julie Corbisiero says
Hi Allyson, this summer salad looks so good! Thanks for sharing it looks like a winner.
Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
JESS44903 says
This looks delicious!! I totally need to try this! Pinned!
Allyson says
Thanks!!
now at home mom says
Your pesto salad looks absolutely delicious Allyson! 🙂 this is something I would love to try! 🙂
Allyson says
Thank you, Ingrid!!
Rebecca from Who Needs a Cape? says
Wow that looks so yummy! Found you over on the Tumble Weed Contessa's linky party.
Allyson says
Thanks for coming by!!
De'nise says
YUM! This looks really good & thanks for the nice complement. <3 😀
I'll have to try your version-soon!
mfashforward says
Would love for you to share this at my link party where we pin all those who join to our party board
http://myfashionforwardblog.com/all-things-pretty-11/
bonnie@uncommon designs says
Seriously yummy! Totally pinning! 😉
Alyssa says
I love anything with pesto in it. Pinning this one for later! I'm over here from My Turn (for us) Link up!
Robin~All Things Heart and Home says
This looks so yummy! What a perfect dish for summertime! xo
Robin says
Why is it that salads always, look, sound and taste so much better in the summer? Thank you for coming by and sharing this on Fluster Buster's Creative Muster Party.
Robin
Fluster Buster
Lori Who Needs A Cape? says
Beautiful salad!
We'd love for you to share it at our 1st SUPER SUNDAY Linky Party:
http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/06/super-sunday-party-1/
Lori
Whoneedsacape.com
Not Your Average Super Moms!
Tumbleweed Contessa says
Great idea for summer time gatherings or for a take to work lunch. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend. Best wishes for tasty dishes this week!
Julia says
Yummy! This looks amazing! I pinned and can't wait to try it!
Cheers,
Julia
It's Always Ruetten
carriehurst says
Featuring you on Thursday from last week's party. Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.
Allyson says
Thanks!! I am going to give you a big shout out on facebook!
Erin @ DIY On the Cheap says
This looks yummy! Perfect for a summer get together. I'll definitely have to try this!
Helena says
I love this recipe. Have used it at BBQs 3 times now, and each time it was a great success. It's really easy and can be prepped in advance. I roasted the cherry tomatoes in the oven for 20 mins before throwing in the salad though to add a bit more flavour.
Allyson says
Wow, that sounds like a great idea! I will have to try that next time! Thanks for sharing!
Demeter says
I love the idea of making this a day ahead and having it all ready to go! Looks fantastic!
Amanda says
This looks so yummy! I cant wait to try!!
Delaney | Melanie Makes says
What a great side dish!
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says
Ohhhh boy! This looks like a winner to me! I have some fresh garden tomatoes and basil. I know what I will be making.
Sabrina says
I love pesto! This sounds so delcious!
Krista says
This will make a great addition to our BBQ!
Olivia says
This salad is so delicious and flavorful! Thank you for sharing, I'll definitely be making this all summer long!
Beth says
This is one of my favorite pasta salads of all time. I love the flavor, and it's so easy to make!
Sharina says
This is a new comfort food! It is rich and creamy. I love to have this creamy pesto pasta salad for my lunch or dinner. Impressive!
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert says
Looks incredibly delicious! I would love to make this!
Toni says
My family loves pesto and this delicious salad quickly became a favorite at my house!
Catalina says
Simple and delicious! This is the perfect summer pasta salad!
Tisha says
I love pesto! This looks so so good!
Alicia says
I make this for all of the holiday barbecues, and all my friends always asked me for the recipe! The pesto is so perfect in this salad