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!
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 DRESSING for this pasta salad!
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 make your own basil pesto)
- creamy caesar dressing
- house seasoning
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.
Stir well. Cover and place into refrigerator until ready to eat.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? GIVE THESE A TRY!
Caesar Basil Pasta Salad (+Video)
Ingredients
- 16 ounce box Rotini Pasta, cooked
- 1 cup creamy Caesar dressing
- ¼ cup basil pesto, fresh or jarred
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 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
Nutrition
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 can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: June 2011
Updated & republished: May 2019
Recipe Adapted from: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
I love it!!!
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!
It’s never too late!! Love reading that Michelle! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
The second I saw the photo my mouth started watering! In a big way! I’ll be making this soon.
I made this but substituted green pepper for onion. It was amazing!
I'm going to make this as a Mason jar salad!!
That's wonderful Marty! I love the addition of some marinated artichoke hearts – YUM! Thank you for coming back to let me know how it turned out for ya!
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!!!
LOVE hearing that Alicia! Thank you!!
i love this. i have made it 2x this week!
We loved this! Going into the rotation. 🙂 The pesto/Ceasar combination is great!
So happy to hear that Becky! Thank you for coming back to let me know!
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.
LOVELY!!!
Ty for this recipe 🙂
Greetings from Holland
Hi! Thank you for stopping by!
Good pasta salads are hard to come by – this one looks great! I just pinned your recipe to my Pinterest site.
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.
I've never ate pasta salad, but your recipe sounds great! I should put these ingredients on my grocery list!