Home » Salads » Caesar Basil Pasta Salad (+Video)

Caesar Basil Pasta Salad (+Video)

This Caesar Basil Pasta Salad is a unique but simple recipe. Made with rotini pasta, a caesar basil pesto dressing, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella!

 A DELICIOUSLY CREAMY PASTA SALAD

Don’t you just love pasta salads? I don’t know what it is about them, but if I see one at a potluck, like this Caesar Basil Pasta Salad, I am on it with a quickness! What I love about this particular creamy pasta salad is that it is so unique and not your traditional Italian-style or ranch pasta salad but it’s packed with so much flavor!

A small white bowl filled with caesar basil pasta salad and a fork being inserted into the salad.

WHAT OTHER INGREDIENTS CAN I ADD TO PASTA SALAD?

Some other ingredient suggestions would be diced cucumbers or sliced black olives! Marinated mozzarella is also a delicious option. Pasta just seems to call to that basic part of us that wants to be nourished. This recipe does not disappoint. It is creamy without being heavy and the touch of basil brightens all the flavors and makes it so darn good! It is certainly my go-to pasta salad for all occasions. You can even make a Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing for this pasta salad!

a bowl of pasta salad with a fork lifting out some of the pasta salad from the bowl.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • rotini pasta
  • grape or cherry tomatoes
  • red onion
  • fresh mozzarella
  • shredded Parmesan cheese
  • basil pesto (store-bought or homemade basil pesto)
  • creamy caesar dressing
  • house seasoning
Caesar salad dressing, basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, red onion, rotini pasta, shredded Parmesan cheese.

HOW TO MAKE CAESAR BASIL PASTA SALAD:

Cook and drain pasta according to package directions. Pour pasta into a medium-large bowl. Mix together Caesar dressing with Basil Pesto. Pour over pasta and the rest of the ingredients.

sliced tomatoes, red onion, rotini, shredded Parmesan cheese in a large bowl with caesar basil pesto dressing poured on top.

Stir well. Cover and place into refrigerator until ready to eat.

finished pasta salad in a large clear bowl.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? GIVE THESE A TRY!

forkful, Caesar Basil Pasta Salad

Caesar Basil Pasta Salad (+Video)

This Caesar Basil Pasta Salad is a unique but simple recipe. Made with rotini pasta, a caesar basil pesto dressing, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella!
5 from 22 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce box Rotini Pasta, cooked
  • 1 cup creamy Caesar dressing
  • ¼ cup basil pesto, fresh or jarred
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed
  • 2 teaspoons house seasoning (equal parts salt, pepper and garlic powder)

Instructions

  • Cook and drain pasta according to package directions. Pour pasta into a medium-large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together Caesar dressing with basil pesto.
  • Pour over warm pasta and coat throughly.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and toss.
  • Cover and place into refrigerator until ready to eat.

Video

YouTube video
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 27g | Sodium: 649mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!

Originally published: June 2011
Updated & republished: May 2019

Recipe Adapted from: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




43 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I realize I’m a few years late grading the salad, but oh my goodness, is it yummy! I never would’ve thought of putting pesto with my Caesar dressing or adding the house seasoning. Super Yum!

  2. 5 stars
    Made this for our girls game night. Added checked and artichoke hearts to made it again dish. Everyone loved it and wanted the recipe. Great pasta salad!!!

  3. 5 stars
    Oh my! This salad has all my favorites in it. Starting with the pasta (I live for pasta) and creamy Ceasar (there better be Creamy Ceasar in heaven)! I think I will try cutting up some pepperoni in there too! Thanks for sharing, Brandie.

  4. 5 stars
    Good pasta salads are hard to come by – this one looks great! I just pinned your recipe to my Pinterest site.

  5. 5 stars
    Thank you for posting your "go to" pasta salad. I just made the sauce and I LOVE it. It's going to be hard not to eat all of pasta salad in one sitting.

  6. I've never ate pasta salad, but your recipe sounds great! I should put these ingredients on my grocery list!