Simple, 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad

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Want a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for summer? This 4-ingredient pasta salad is just what you need! You can whip up this tasty dish in only 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.

With just pasta, pesto, tomatoes, and mozzarella, you’ll create a crowd-pleasing side dish or light main course. The simple ingredients blend together for a fresh, flavorful salad that’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Give it a try and see how easy delicious can be!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple pasta salad:

• 16 oz pasta (short shapes work best)
• 2 cups prepared basil pesto
• 1 ½ cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup small fresh mozzarella balls, halved
• Optional: 1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn

The recipe is super flexible. You can easily adjust the amounts to suit your taste or the number of people you’re serving.

Feel free to use your favorite short pasta shape. Rotini, fusilli, or farfalle are great choices. They hold the pesto well and add nice texture to the salad.

For the pesto, you can use store-bought or homemade. If you’re short on time, the jarred kind works perfectly in this recipe.

Remember, fresh ingredients make a big difference in simple recipes like this. Try to get ripe, flavorful tomatoes and good quality mozzarella for the best results.

Instructions

Here’s how to make this easy pasta salad:

1. 
   

   Cook the pasta according to package directions. Let it cool to room temperature.

   
   
2. 
   

   To speed up cooling, you can rinse the cooked pasta with cool water in a colander.

   
   
3. 
   

   Put the cooled pasta in a large bowl.

   
   
4. 
   

   Add the basil pesto sauce, sliced grape tomatoes, and sliced mozzarella balls.

   
   
5. 
   

   Mix everything together well.

   
   
6. 
   

   If you want, sprinkle some fresh torn basil on top for extra flavor.

   
   
7. 
   

   Serve the pasta salad cold.

   
   

This recipe is super simple to make. You’ll have a tasty side dish ready in no time! The fresh ingredients give it a bright, summery taste that everyone will love.

Feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking. You can add more tomatoes or cheese if you prefer. The recipe is flexible, so have fun with it!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

Want to switch things up with your pasta salad? Try these easy swaps and variations:

Pasta:

• Rotini
• Penne
• Farfalle (bow-tie)
• Fusilli

Pesto:

• Sun-dried tomato pesto
• Spinach pesto
• Arugula pesto

Cheese:

• Cubed cheddar
• Feta crumbles
• Grated Parmesan

Veggies:

• Cucumber chunks
• Bell pepper strips
• Sliced olives
• Diced red onion

Protein add-ins:

• Diced ham
• Grilled chicken
• Salami slices
• Chickpeas

For a creamier version, mix in some mayo or Greek yogurt with the pesto. You can also add a splash of lemon juice for extra zing.

To make it gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free pasta. For a vegan option, skip the cheese or use a plant-based alternative.

Feel free to toss in some extras like pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or croutons for added crunch. You can even throw in some fresh herbs like parsley or oregano for more flavor.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make this pasta salad your own by swapping ingredients. Try using different pasta shapes like rotini or bowtie. You can also add veggies like cucumbers or bell peppers for extra crunch.

For best flavor, let the salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to blend together nicely.

To keep your pasta salad fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for 3-5 days.

If the salad seems dry after storing, mix in a little extra pesto or a splash of olive oil before serving.

For easy portioning, use a large ice cream scoop or measuring cup to dish out individual servings.

Try these mix-ins to change things up:

• Diced salami or pepperoni
• Sliced black olives
• Roasted red peppers
• Chopped fresh herbs like parsley or oregano

To make this dish ahead of time, cook the pasta and prep the ingredients, but wait to mix everything together until just before serving. This keeps the pasta from absorbing too much dressing.