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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

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Recipe Rating




43 Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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…:)

  3. 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!

  4. 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!

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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!

  8. 5 stars
    Pesto + Caesar Dressing. Brilliant. That combination will go with so many things. I'm thinking avocados to start with…

  9. 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.

  10. 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 🙂

  11. 5 stars
    This look great Brandie! I never get tired of pasta salad….or pasta in general! Great with the addition of chicken.

  12. 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!

  13. 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!