Pesto Pasta Salad
A super easy and customizable pesto pasta salad that can be prepped ahead of time to made in less than 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 12 oz Rotini or pasta of your choice
- 2 cups Sliced Cherry Tomatoes
- 2-3 oz Spring Mix or leafy greens of your choice
- 8 oz cubed or balled Mozzarella
- ⅓-1/2 cup of Pesto I use kirkland brand
- 1 lb Grilled Chicken Cubed or protein of your choice
- Cilantro or Basil for Garnish optional
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to the instructions on the box. Once cooked, drain and empty into a large bowl.
- Mix the pesto with the cooked pasta until combined, then cover and store in the fridge to chill.
- Once chilled, add in ½ of the the sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and cubed chicken and mix to combine. (The other half will be reserved for garnish)
- Add in spring mix and toss lightly to avoid bruising the greens too much.
- Garnish with remaining tomatoes, mozzarella, grilled chicken, and cilantro to create a beautiful presentation.
- Serve immediately or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
If you serve this as a side dish, it should feed about 15-20 people, if you serve as an entree it will probably feed 6-8 people
If you don't plan to serve immediately, don't add in the spring mix until you are just about to serve, as they will wilt and not look as pleasant to eat.
If you don't care about presentation, just add in all the tomatoes, chicken, and mozzarella.
All the ingredients are customizable, just cater it to your preferences.
Kirkland brand Pesto is perfectly seasoned, so I do not add any extra salt. Feel free to use less or more of the pesto if you wish.
If you'd like you can serve this warm, just note that the greens will be wilted. You may omit them if you wish.
Feel free to use any protein you'd like that goes well with pesto.
This can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!