15-Minute Cold Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

15-Minute Cold Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

from thenaturalnurturer.com
15 min
8 servings

This simple 15-minute Vegetarian Pesto Pasta Salad is full of fresh flavor and incredibly easy to make at home with a small-shaped pasta. Cooked pasta is tossed with chopped spinach and basil, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and homemade or jarred pesto sauce. Serve cold, and enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces small-shaped pasta
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes (cut in half or quartered)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (diced)
  • 1 cup baby spinach (roughly chopped)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade )
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.

  2. 2

    Add tomatoes, mozzarella, and chopped spinach to a large bowl. Once pasta is cooled, add to the bowl then top with the pesto. Stir well to combine and coat the pasta in the pesto.

  3. 3

    Taste the pasta and add additional salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with remaining basil. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.