Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Salad

This Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Salad is your new warm-weather staple — rich, creamy pesto coats each rigatoni bite, balanced by juicy cherry tomatoes and soft mozzarella pearls. It’s bold, refreshing, and the perfect marriage of texture and flavor.

Whether you’re prepping ahead for a backyard gathering or just want a quick, delicious dinner, this dish delivers every time. The lemony pesto dressing adds a bright pop, while parmesan and basil pull it all together. Bonus: it’s ready in 20 minutes flat and tastes even better chilled.

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 3/4 cup fresh mozzarella pearls

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

• Fresh basil for garnish

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked rigatoni, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and red onion.

3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the basil pesto, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.

4. Pour the dressing over the pasta and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.

5. Sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese and mix again.

6. Chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes before serving.

7. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Why Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Salad is a Must-Try

Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of hearty, creamy, and refreshing. It’s a dish that can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it a fantastic option for every season, especially in warmer months when lighter, vibrant meals are preferred. What sets this recipe apart is the fusion of flavors — the creamy basil pesto offers a rich herbal depth, while the fresh mozzarella pearls and cherry tomatoes bring a burst of freshness and mild sweetness that balance the dish beautifully.

Rigatoni, a tube-shaped pasta with ridges, is ideal for this salad because it holds the pesto well, allowing every bite to be full of flavor. It also maintains a firm texture even after being dressed and chilled, which is crucial for pasta salads that are prepared ahead of time.

The Versatility of This Dish

One of the strongest features of this Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Salad is its versatility. It can be served as a main dish or a side, and it works perfectly for picnics, potlucks, lunchboxes, or even elegant dinner parties. Want to make it heartier? Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or even roasted vegetables. Prefer a vegan version? Use dairy-free pesto and mozzarella substitutes. It’s a canvas you can customize endlessly based on your dietary preferences or seasonal produce.

What’s more, this dish travels well, making it ideal for events or on-the-go meals. Since it’s best served cold or at room temperature, there’s no need to reheat, making your meal prep worry-free and efficient.

A Nutrient-Rich Option That Doesn’t Sacrifice Flavor

Despite its indulgent flavor profile, this pasta salad can be a wholesome option depending on the ingredients you choose. The pesto, often made with fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, and nuts, is naturally packed with antioxidants and healthy fats. Mozzarella offers a mild protein boost, while tomatoes bring in vitamins like A and C, along with lycopene — an antioxidant known for its health benefits.

You can further amp up the nutrition by using whole wheat or legume-based pasta, adding leafy greens like spinach or arugula, or mixing in more fiber-rich vegetables like cucumbers or bell peppers. It’s a guilt-free comfort food when approached mindfully.

Pesto: The Star of the Dish

Basil pesto is a cornerstone of Italian cuisine and brings unmatched flavor to this pasta salad. Traditionally made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil, pesto is rich, herbaceous, and slightly nutty. The beauty of pesto is that it can be customized, too — you can swap basil with arugula, kale, or even sun-dried tomatoes for a completely different flavor profile.

In this recipe, pesto isn’t just a sauce — it’s the element that ties everything together. When mixed with a touch of lemon juice and olive oil, it becomes a luscious dressing that evenly coats the pasta and binds the ingredients into one cohesive and flavor-packed dish.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Entertaining

Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Salad is a meal-prep superstar. It holds up well in the refrigerator for a few days, and the flavors actually deepen over time, making it even more delicious the next day. This makes it perfect for busy schedules, lunch prep, or when you want something ready to grab and go.

For entertaining, it’s a colorful and crowd-pleasing option that looks as good as it tastes. Garnished with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan, this dish presents beautifully with minimal effort. Whether you’re serving it in a big communal bowl at a backyard BBQ or portioning it into individual jars for a picnic, it’s sure to get compliments.

The Balance of Textures and Temperatures

This dish delivers on texture — the rigatoni provides chewiness, the mozzarella offers creaminess, and the cherry tomatoes bring a juicy pop. Add in a bit of crunch by topping the salad with toasted pine nuts or seeds, and you elevate the entire eating experience.

Temperature also plays a role. Serving this salad chilled allows the flavors to meld and settle, giving a more balanced and refreshing profile. It’s one of those rare dishes that tastes great warm or cold, making it incredibly flexible for different occasions and serving preferences.

A Mediterranean-Inspired Classic

This recipe pays homage to classic Mediterranean flavors. With olive oil, garlic, basil, lemon, and cheese all playing a part, it leans into a flavor profile known for its health benefits and simple elegance. Mediterranean cuisine is often praised for being heart-healthy and balanced, and this pasta salad is a great representation of that approach — fresh, vibrant, and made with real ingredients.

Incorporating these flavors into your diet can feel luxurious yet remain accessible, which is part of the charm of this dish. It doesn’t rely on complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, yet it delivers a flavor that feels elevated and indulgent.

Pairing Suggestions

If you’re serving this pasta salad as a main dish, it pairs beautifully with a crisp glass of white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. For non-alcoholic options, a sparkling lemonade or iced herbal tea complements the herby notes of the pesto perfectly.

You can also serve it alongside grilled proteins like salmon or chicken, a simple arugula salad, or even a crusty loaf of artisan bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. The goal is to keep the rest of the meal simple and let the salad shine.

Tips for Best Results

• Don’t overcook the pasta – al dente is best to prevent a mushy texture after mixing with the dressing.

• Rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and help it cool quickly.

• Use quality pesto – whether homemade or store-bought, the better the pesto, the better the salad.

• Let it chill – give the salad at least 20–30 minutes in the fridge so the flavors can fully develop.

• Taste and adjust – sometimes a little extra lemon juice or pinch of salt brings the dish to life right before serving.

Conclusion: A Delicious and Simple Dish That Always Delivers

Pesto Rigatoni Pasta Salad is more than just a quick recipe — it’s a celebration of flavor, convenience, and creativity. From the bright, herbaceous pesto to the creamy mozzarella and juicy tomatoes, each component plays its part to create a dish that’s both satisfying and refreshing.

Whether you’re planning a week’s worth of lunches or looking for the perfect contribution to a summer gathering, this pasta salad rises to the occasion. It’s proof that with a handful of simple, fresh ingredients, you can create something truly impressive and deeply enjoyable.

Best of all, it’s endlessly adaptable, allowing you to make it your own. Once you’ve tried it, it’s guaranteed to become a repeat favorite in your kitchen rotation.