Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad, a flavorful and easy make-ahead side dish with just a handful of simple ingredients! This refreshing salad is perfect for summer parties, picnics, or any time you need a crowd-pleasing cold pasta dish.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hellmann’s. The opinions and text are all mine.
If you’re looking for a simple yet bold-flavored pasta salad, this Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is a great option. With Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise as the creamy base, it pairs perfectly with fresh basil pesto for a rich and delicious combination. This dish is ideal for cookouts, potlucks, picnics, or any summer meal.
Using Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise gives the pasta salad that smooth, creamy texture without overpowering the pesto. It blends easily and adds just the right amount of richness. The addition of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and pine nuts gives this salad color, texture, and great flavor without a lot of fuss.
I recommend chilling the pasta salad ahead of time so the flavors have time to come together. Although if you’re in a rush, you really do not need to. You can also garnish the salad with Parmesan shavings, fresh basil, and/or extra pine nuts right before serving.
Although this recipe doesn’t require much special equipment, here are a few things that might come in handy…
Equipment You May Need
- Large Saucepan – You’ll need a large saucepan for cooking your pasta of choice.
- Colander – Once your pasta is done cooking, be sure to drain very well in a colander.
- Mixing Bowls – You’ll need a few mixing bowls for mixing together the dressing and the pasta salad.
- Cheese grater – If you’d like to garnish the salad with some Parmesan shavings, a cheese grater will come in handy.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise – Adds creamy texture and brings all the flavors together.
- Pesto – Use your favorite homemade pesto or store-bought variety. Basil pesto works perfectly, or change it up with something like this Spicy Cilantro Pesto.
- Rotini Pasta – Or substitute your favorite pasta shape. Cooked and cooled.
- Grape Tomatoes – Halved for color and juicy texture. You can use fresh chopped tomatoes or even chopped sundried tomatoes would be a good substitute too.
- Mozzarella Pearls – These small fresh cheese balls make the salad extra creamy. Or use chopped fresh mozzarella.
- Pine Nuts – Add a little crunch and a nutty flavor.
- Salt & Pepper – Season to taste based on the saltiness of your pesto.
- Optional Garnishes – Fresh basil, shredded Parmesan cheese, and/or extra pine nuts.
How to Make Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
Step One: Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water until cool, and place in a large bowl.
Step Two: In a small bowl, stir together Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise and pesto until smooth. Add to pasta and stir to combine.
Step Three: Gently mix in grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step Four: Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the pasta salad cold on a large platter or bowl.
- Garnish with fresh Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, and/or a few extra pine nuts for added texture and flavor.
- Pairs well with grilled chicken, sandwiches, or fresh fruit for a full summer meal.
- You can also serve as a delicious vegetarian main dish or add your favorite protein, such as chicken.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Use cold water to rinse your pasta after cooking to stop it from overcooking and to help it cool faster. I like to put the pasta on a silicone mat on a baking sheet to finish cooling and coat with a little olive oil so help prevent sticking.
- Let the pasta salad chill for at least 3 hours so the flavors blend together nicely.
- Taste the salad before seasoning. Some pestos are saltier than others, so adjust accordingly.
- You can prep this salad a day ahead for convenience. Stir before serving and refresh with a little more pesto or mayonnaise if needed.
Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad FAQ
How should I store the leftover pasta salad?
Store any leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long will the pasta salad last?
This pasta salad is best within 2-3 days. It can last up to approximately 4 days in the fridge.
Substitutions?
Instead of rotini, try penne, farfalle, fusilli, or your favorite pasta shape. Instead of mozzarella pearls, use diced fresh mozzarella. Instead of grape tomatoes, try cherry tomatoes or chopped larger tomatoes. Even chopped sundried tomatoes would work. Use any type of pesto you like, including sundried tomato, arugula pesto, or cilantro pesto for a totally different flavor profile.
What else can I add to this recipe?
You can add a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the dressing. You could also add your favorite vegetables like squash, red onion, arugula, spinach, asparagus, bell peppers, or peas. For a spicy version, try adding a little red pepper flakes to the dressing. Olives, chickpeas, or even cannellini beans would work.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – This recipe is not vegan. You could use Hellmann’s Plant Based Mayo Spread & Dressing and vegan cheese.
Vegetarian – This recipe is vegetarian as written.
Low-Carb – Use your favorite lower carb pasta for a lower carb version of the pasta salad.
Gluten-Free – Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Other Salad Recipes From Hellmann’s You May Enjoy
Hope you enjoy this Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad! Let me know in the comments what twists you added!
Be sure to check out Hellmann’s for other great mayonnaise-based recipes!
Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 1/2 cup Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup pesto (your favorite homemade or store bought)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes cut in half
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- salt & pepper to taste
- Garnish (optional): fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and/or additional pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water until cool, then place pasta in large bowl.
- In a small bowl mix together Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise and pesto until well combined. Stir into pasta.
- Stir in grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and pine nuts. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover pasta salad and place in refrigerator. Chill at least 3 hours before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and/or additional pine nuts to garnish the finished pasta salad if desired.
- Be sure to chill the pasta salad for at least a few hours before serving.
- Some pesto can be quite salty so be sure to taste the pasta salad before adding salt and pepper.
- Instead of rotini pasta, you can use your favorite pasta shape.
- I used homemade basil pesto but you can use your favorite flavor of homemade or store-bought pesto.
- Instead of mozzarella pearls, you can use chopped fresh mozzarella.
- Instead of grape tomatoes, you can use chopped tomatoes or even chopped sundried tomatoes (packed in oil).
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
