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.
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!
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
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
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.
Enjoy!
Originally published: June 2011
Updated & republished: May 2019
Recipe Adapted from: MEL’S KITCHEN CAFE
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!
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 497kcal
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
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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!
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!
Pesto in a pasta salad sounds wonderful.
This look great Brandie! I never get tired of pasta salad….or pasta in general! Great with the addition of chicken.
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 🙂
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.
Oh Brandie – this is right up my alley! Delicious recipe
Mary
Pretty! And just perfect for summer!
Pesto + Caesar Dressing. Brilliant. That combination will go with so many things. I'm thinking avocados to start with…
Love this idea!!! I love pesto, and I love pasta salad!! Thank you for making my next pasta salad just that much better!
I love pasta! Thanks for sharing!
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.
Oh, boy, I love the sound of this pasta salad….mmmmmmm…might be part of my 4th picnic food!!
An award for you, http://servedupwithlove.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-microwave-popcorn.html
Looks like a winning combination!
Healthy and refreshing!
Thanks for sharing, my mouth is salivating….
Brandie, This salad looks just wonderful and pasta salad is one of our favorites. I will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing.
I love pasta salad and this one sounds fabulous! I'll be making it soon 🙂
P.S. Lovely blog!
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!
It's okay to mention poop as long as you follow up with something this yummy looking! Yum 🙂
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!
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…:)
This was so awesome!!
This recipe I have to try soon! I love how you made it and pictures are so delicious looking!
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!