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Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad with Fresh Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes

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A simple, bright, and utterly satisfying pasta salad featuring creamy pesto dressing, fresh mozzarella, and sweet cherry tomatoes—perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, drained and halved
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup fresh basil pesto
  • ¼ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 9–11 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander but do not rinse with cold water. Let it sit for a minute to cool slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup fresh basil pesto, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Add the warm pasta to the dressing and stir gently until every piece is coated.
  5. Fold in 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes and 8 ounces halved fresh mozzarella balls. Toss gently to combine without breaking the cheese.
  6. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld. If chilled, bring to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep starch for dressing adherence. Use warm pasta to help flavors meld. Drain mozzarella well to avoid sogginess. If dressing is too thick after chilling, whisk in a splash of olive oil or water.

Nutrition

Keywords: pesto pasta salad, creamy pesto dressing, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, summer salad, easy pasta salad, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/creamy-pesto-pasta-salad-recipe-with-fresh-mozzarella-and-cherry-tomatoes-perfect-for-summer/