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Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

May 16, 2018 by Jeanette 19 Comments

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Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad - simple, fresh and healthy pasta salad, perfect for barbecues an picnics
Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad - simple, fresh and healthy pasta salad, perfect for barbecues an picnics

Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad is easy to make, healthy and perfect for barbecues and picnics. I love casual entertaining, especially when fresh local produce is in season. Our local farmer’s market has expanded over the years, and fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella are readily available. There’s also a stand that sells excellent fresh pesto.
Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad - simple, fresh and healthy pasta salad, perfect for barbecues an picnics

As a family with four boys, our grocery bill mushroomed over the years, especially during their teenage years. Whenever I tell people that I have four boys, they almost immediately make a comment about how big my grocery bill must be. I’ve learned ways to skimp and stretch out our food bill (see my 5 Tips for Feeding Hungry Teenagers), but for special celebrations, I do splurge a bit.

Time together as a family is precious, as my boys go their separate paths, so each day I have with them is a time to celebrate.

Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad - simple, fresh and healthy pasta salad, perfect for barbecues an picnics

I first made this Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad four years ago over Memorial Day weekend. We were set to have a small gathering, but it soon grew from just the six of us, to twelve, as each of the twins invited a set of friends – all boys. Mind you, these boys were young men with big appetites, so I was worried we wouldn’t have enough food to go around.

The boys loved this Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad, with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and pesto. This pasta salad goes a long way, so it’s great for a crowd. You can make your own pesto or buy a good quality pesto from the farmer’s market or supermarket.

Make sure you use fresh mozzarella cheese. I’ve started making homemade mozzarella cheese and it is the best.

Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad - simple, fresh and healthy pasta salad, perfect for barbecues an picnics

This Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta is a great recipe to have in your back pocket when entertaining this summer – it is totally no-fuss and actually tastes better the longer you leave the tomatoes to marinade in the garlic olive oil. My boys loved this and enjoyed leftovers the next day.

5 from 1 vote
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Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad

Course Side Dish
Keyword pasta, salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating 1 hour
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 279 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups chopped chopped tomatoes
  • 4 small pieces fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese cut into bite size pieces
  • 1/3 cup fresh pesto
  • 4-5 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • a handful of fresh grated Parmesan cheese optional
  • 1 pound dried gluten-free or whole grain pasta

Instructions

  1. In a large serving bowl, toss together tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, pesto, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Let marinade for an hour or longer. When ready to serve, cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking liquid. Toss hot pasta with tomato mixture, adding some pasta cooking liquid to loosen up sauce. Serve.
Nutrition Facts
Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 279 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 184mg8%
Potassium 241mg7%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 265IU5%
Vitamin C 7.1mg9%
Calcium 56mg6%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Filed Under: Clean Eating, Dinner, farmer's market, gluten-free, healthy choices, main courses, Pasta and Noodles, side dishes, vegetarian Tagged With: buffalo mozzarella, entertaining, fresh tomatoes, pasta salad, pesto, summer pasta recipe, vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says

    May 29, 2014 at 7:06 am

    I love to throw this kind of salad together at the last minue, using pesto I keep in the freezer. Every summer I make enough pesto to last all year long.

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      May 29, 2014 at 7:10 am

      Pesto is such an easy and delicious addition to summer pasta salads isn’t it!

      Reply
  2. Joanne says

    May 29, 2014 at 8:54 am

    This pasta salad definitely sounds like a crowd-pleaser to me! I always make something very similar to it during the summer. Such a great easy weeknight meal.

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      May 29, 2014 at 4:25 pm

      Joanne – this is definitely a crowd pleaser and so easy to whip up.

      Reply
  3. Christine from Cook the Story says

    May 29, 2014 at 9:44 am

    This is the perfect summer salad!

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      May 29, 2014 at 4:27 pm

      Summer is all about easy salads. Hope you’re doing well Christine!

      Reply
  4. Kim - Liv Life says

    May 29, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    So simple, yet so perfect. This one will become a regular at our house!!

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      May 29, 2014 at 10:27 pm

      Thanks Kim – this is so easy and great for last minute get togethers.

      Reply
  5. EA-The Spicy RD says

    May 30, 2014 at 12:41 am

    Your house sounds like my house w/ all the kids coming and going! I now this would be gobbled up in an instant at my house too 🙂

    Reply
  6. Pretend Chef says

    May 31, 2014 at 8:18 am

    This sounds so easy and perfect for feeding a house full of hungry boys. My Little Man is almost 6 and I know with Summer coming up he’ll want more of his friends to come by. I’ve added this recipe to my “must make” list since it is perfect for a meal plan I’m following right now from Women’s Health Magazine, “30 Day Bikini Body Meal Plan.” Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  7. Liz says

    May 31, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    Thank you Jeanette. Sounds wonderful and easy too. Have a Great Weekend!

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      May 31, 2014 at 9:28 pm

      Thanks Liz – hope you have a fantastic weekend!

      Reply
  8. Kevin @ Closet Cooking says

    June 1, 2014 at 11:18 am

    So easy and so tasty! Love the fresh summer flavours!

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      June 3, 2014 at 10:35 am

      Thanks Kevin! Summertime is my favorite!

      Reply
  9. Kelly says

    June 3, 2014 at 12:33 am

    Love how quick and easy this pasta salad is to put together. The flavors sound so fresh and tasty – perfect for summer and all the last minute guests:)

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      June 3, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Thanks Kelly – yes this is super easy and perfect for entertaining.

      Reply
  10. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    June 5, 2014 at 2:55 am

    I have to finish pesto this week before my trip. I am going to try this one – it’s perfect timing! And got some tomatoes my neighbor gave us too! I haven’t had pasta for a while (trying to eat less).. I think I would go crazy with this pasta salad. =P

    Reply
  11. Judy LeMarr says

    May 16, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    5 stars
    This is the perfect summer dish! We love something light, and fresh like this that we can enjoy cold or room temperature. Perfect for any meal.

    Reply
    • Jeanette says

      May 23, 2018 at 7:03 am

      Thank you Judy – this would be great cold or room temp

      Reply

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