Summer Pesto Pasta Salad with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella
- Alexis Krilla
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Fresh basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella come together.
Recipe #37 of The 100 Recipe Project
Every August, the Franklin Farmers Market seems to overflow with fragrant basil and baskets of sun-ripened cherry tomatoes. Plus the basil in my porch pot is growing like wild!
This Summer Pesto Pasta Salad is one of my favorite ways to celebrate those simple ingredients.
Fresh basil pesto coats every bite of pasta, while juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan make it feel bright, colorful, and unmistakably like late summer.
Whether we're eating dinner on the porch, packing lunches for the week, or bringing a side dish to a neighborhood cookout, this is one of those recipes that quietly becomes part of the season.
Simple ingredients. Fresh flavors. A bowl that tastes like summer.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ready in about 30 minutes
Perfect for meal prep
Delicious served cold or at room temperature
Easy to make ahead for parties and picnics
Packed with fresh summer produce
Family friendly
Beautiful enough for entertaining
The Recipe for Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
Around Our Table
One of my favorite Saturday traditions is wandering the Franklin Farmers Market with a coffee in one hand and an empty market tote in the other.
Somehow, I always come home with more tomatoes than I planned to buy, and fresh flowers that end up on the kitchen counter.
This pasta salad has become one of the recipes I make almost without thinking during those weeks. It's easy enough for a simple lunch, sturdy enough to travel to a cookout, and somehow tastes even better after a little time in the refrigerator. We often enjoy it on the porch as the evening starts to cool, with a pitcher of homemade lemonade or sweet tea nearby and whatever else the market inspired that morning.
Franklin Kitchen Tip
The best pasta salads are generously seasoned from the very beginning. Salt the pasta water well, cook the pasta just until al dente, and toss it with the pesto while it's still slightly warm. The warm pasta absorbs the flavors beautifully, giving every bite a little more basil and Parmesan.
Complete the Late Summer Table
Some recipes are even better together. If you're planning a porch dinner, backyard gathering, or slow summer lunch, here are a few of my favorite recipes to pair with this pasta salad.
Part of the Frankin Kitchen Sunday Reset
Packed for tomorrow's lunch, because a little Sunday prep makes the whole week feel easier.
One of my favorite ways to make the week ahead feel a little calmer is by spending an hour or two in the kitchen on Sunday afternoon preparing a few homemade staples for the days ahead.
I call it my Franklin Kitchen Sunday Reset.
Nothing complicated, just simple recipes that make weekday lunches easier, porch dinners come together faster, and opening the refrigerator feel a little more inspiring.
This Summer Pesto Pasta Salad is one of the first recipes I reach for. It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for several days, making it perfect for packing into glass containers for lunch or serving alongside sandwiches, grilled chicken, or fresh fruit throughout the week.
Love This Recipe?
Hover over the image below to save it to Pinterest and come back whenever you're craving a fresh taste of late summer.
Variations
Make It a Main Dish
Turn this into an easy dinner by adding:
Grilled shrimp
Rotisserie chicken
Crispy prosciutto
Grilled Italian sausage
Add More Summer Vegetables
This salad is a wonderful way to use whatever is fresh from the garden or farmers market.
Try adding:
Sweet corn cut from the cob
Diced cucumber
Roasted zucchini
Baby spinach
Arugula
Roasted red peppers
Change the Cheese
Fresh mozzarella is my favorite, but you can also use:
Burrata (torn just before serving)
Fresh ricotta
Crumbled goat cheese
Feta
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, I think it's even better after it has chilled for an hour or two. The flavors have time to come together, making it perfect for picnics, cookouts, or your Franklin Kitchen Sunday Reset.
How long does pesto pasta salad last?
Stored in an airtight container, it keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Before serving leftovers, let the salad sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes and stir in a spoonful of reserved pesto or a drizzle of olive oil to refresh the flavors.
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Definitely.
During the summer I love making pesto with basil from my porch garden, but a good refrigerated basil pesto from the grocery store works beautifully.
What's the best pasta for pesto pasta salad?
Look for short pasta with plenty of ridges or curves to catch the pesto.
My favorites are:
Rotini
Fusilli
Cavatappi
Gemelli
Collect the Recipe
I'm cooking my way through The 100 Recipe Project, creating a collection of dependable recipes our family actually makes.
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🌿 Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: Basil
Late summer is when basil is at its very best. Whether you're clipping handfuls from a porch planter or bringing home fragrant bunches from the Franklin Farmers Market, fresh basil is what gives this pasta salad its unmistakable flavor.
If your basil plants are overflowing, this recipe is one of my favorite ways to use a generous harvest. Any extra pesto can be refrigerated for several days or frozen in small portions for an easy taste of summer later in the year.
Made in my Franklin kitchen as part of The 100 Recipe Project.
— Alexis
My Franklin Kitchen
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