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Home » salads » CAESAR BASIL PASTA SALAD (+Video)

CAESAR BASIL PASTA SALAD (+Video)

May 20, 2019 by Brandie @ The Country Cook 42 Comments

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5 from 19 votes

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!

CAESAR BASIL 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 faster than a fly on poop. Okay, uh, that wasn’t the best analogy. First rule of food blogging: Do not mention poop on a food blog.Caesar Basil Pasta Salad with cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella in a small bowl

VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:

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!Caesar Basil Pasta Salad recipe from The Country Cook
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
rotini pasta
grape or cherry tomatoes
1/2 red onion, diced (about 1/4 cup)
fresh mozzarella
shredded Parmesan cheese
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.completed Caesar Basil Pasta Salad in a bowl
Cover and place into refrigerator until ready to eat.forkful, Caesar Basil Pasta Salad

 Enjoy!

Originally published: June 2011
Updated & republished: May 2019

Recipe Adapted from: MEL’S KITCHEN CAFE

 

forkful, Caesar Basil Pasta Salad

CAESAR BASIL PASTA SALAD

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 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Caesar Basil Pasta Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 497kcal
Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 oz) box Rotini Pasta cooked
  • 1 cup tomatoes diced
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella cubed
  • ¼ cup basil pesto fresh or jarred
  • 1 cup creamy caesar dressing
  • 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.
  • 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

Notes

Cover and place into refrigerator until ready to eat.

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 649mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 1.3mg
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @thecountrycook and mention us #thecountrycook!

CRAVING MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? GIVE THESE A TRY!
CHICKEN BACON RANCH PASTA SALAD
PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA SALAD
SUMMER SPAGHETTI SALAD
SAUSAGE PESTO PASTA

 

 

 

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Filed Under: salads, side dishes Tagged With: pasta, RECIPES WITH VIDEO

About Brandie @ The Country Cook

I’m a regular home cook, like most of you, doing my best to get a good meal on the table for my family. I like to say the recipes on here are recipes for the busy cook (you know who you are). You can still get a good meal on the table, with a few shortcuts to help you along the way. I hope you’ll find lots of recipes here that you’ll love and hopefully will become family favorites. Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Annie Oakley's Kitchen says

    June 20, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    I used to love pasta salad but lately I've been finding it too heavy and it makes me a bit queasy if I eat more than a few bites. Yours does look lighter and I just love the basil pesto!

    Reply
  2. Pretend Chef says

    June 20, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    I'm with you. If there is pasta salad I'm all over it. I'll go back for thirds without shame. I love the flavor play in this pasta salad. Yummy!

    Reply
  3. Kristen says

    June 20, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    Pesto in a pasta salad sounds wonderful.

    Reply
  4. Patti says

    June 20, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    5 stars
    This look great Brandie! I never get tired of pasta salad….or pasta in general! Great with the addition of chicken.

    Reply
  5. Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says

    June 20, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    I love pasta salad and I'm always looking for new recipes…I can't wait to try this. Caesar is also a favorite of mine 🙂

    Reply
  6. Rhondi says

    June 20, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    5 stars
    I always go for the pasta salad first too! And I usually go back for seconds, or eat my kids' leftovers. It's even better the next day. Love this recipe, and can't wait to try it.

    Reply
  7. Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says

    June 20, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Oh Brandie – this is right up my alley! Delicious recipe
    Mary

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    June 20, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    Pretty! And just perfect for summer!

    Reply
  9. Kate says

    June 20, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    Pesto + Caesar Dressing. Brilliant. That combination will go with so many things. I'm thinking avocados to start with…

    Reply
  10. Erin says

    June 20, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    5 stars
    Love this idea!!! I love pesto, and I love pasta salad!! Thank you for making my next pasta salad just that much better!

    Reply
  11. Christine's Pantry says

    June 20, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    I love pasta! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  12. Veronica Gantley says

    June 20, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    5 stars
    I love that I can make this and put it in the fridge until I am ready to eat. It was so great on a hot day like today. I made it exactly to your recipe.

    Reply
  13. Lizzy says

    June 21, 2011 at 1:30 am

    5 stars
    Oh, boy, I love the sound of this pasta salad….mmmmmmm…might be part of my 4th picnic food!!

    Reply
  14. Brandie says

    June 21, 2011 at 2:06 am

    An award for you, http://servedupwithlove.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-microwave-popcorn.html

    Reply
  15. RavieNomNoms says

    June 21, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Looks like a winning combination!

    Reply
  16. Fresh Garden says

    June 21, 2011 at 10:57 am

    Healthy and refreshing!
    Thanks for sharing, my mouth is salivating….

    Reply
  17. southernlady64 says

    June 21, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Brandie, This salad looks just wonderful and pasta salad is one of our favorites. I will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  18. Shawn says

    June 21, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    5 stars
    I love pasta salad and this one sounds fabulous! I'll be making it soon 🙂

    P.S. Lovely blog!

    Reply
  19. carolinaheartstrings says

    June 21, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    5 stars
    Now that is my kind of pasta salad. Love everything about it. That is always my go to kind of basil pasta. Good, easy, already for me!

    Reply
  20. Julie says

    June 22, 2011 at 1:14 am

    It's okay to mention poop as long as you follow up with something this yummy looking! Yum 🙂

    Reply
  21. Candace says

    June 22, 2011 at 2:33 am

    5 stars
    I'm with you on the pasta salad, Brandie. Love them so much! And pesto pasta salad is by far my favorite. We always have multiple jars of that Classico pesto in the pantry for when the cravings hit…and that's often. I love how you've combined Caesar dressing with it. I have got to try that this week. Yum!

    Reply
  22. Ang says

    June 22, 2011 at 6:04 am

    5 stars
    Brandie….Your food never seems to disappoint. This looks aaaamazing!!! I always love a good pasta salad. And I'm with you on the fly on poop thing…:)

    Reply
  23. April says

    June 22, 2011 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    This was so awesome!!

    Reply
  24. Sandra says

    June 23, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    This recipe I have to try soon! I love how you made it and pictures are so delicious looking!

    Reply
  25. Deborah Dowd says

    June 24, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    5 stars
    I love pasta salads, especially in the summer! Such a shame that pasta has come out of favor because of the low carb movement, but I have been using the protein and fiber-enriched kind and my family doesn't know the difference!

    Reply
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