Summer is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a refreshing and vibrant pasta salad? This EASY 10-minute Summer Pesto Pasta Salad is packed with juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, creamy avocado, zesty garlic, and aromatic basil pesto, all tossed together with warm pasta. It’s a delightful combination of flavors and textures that will take your taste buds on a summer vacation!
Fresh and Flavorful Ingredients
To create this mouthwatering dish, you will need the following ingredients:
- Pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Corn (fresh or frozen)
- Avocado
- Pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- Lemon + zest
- Garlic
- Fresh basil
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
You can choose any type of curly or corkscrew pasta, such as cavatappi, rotini, or fusilli. The nooks and crannies of the pasta beautifully hold the pesto. As for the pesto, I highly recommend using the O Organics Plant-Based Pesto from Safeway. However, feel free to use any store-bought or homemade pesto that suits your taste.
Making the Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
Creating this salad is a breeze! Just follow these simple steps:
- Boil the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the tomatoes and slice the avocado.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and mix it with the fresh garlic to infuse it with a delightful garlicky flavor.
- Add in the tomatoes, corn, avocado, lemon juice, lemon zest, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and the glorious pesto.
- Give everything a good stir, sprinkle with fresh basil, and your pasta salad is ready to be served!
One of the best things about this pasta salad is its versatility. It tastes equally amazing whether served warm or cold. You can refrigerate it for up to 6 hours before serving, although it tends to be at its peak deliciousness right after preparation. If you’re concerned about the avocado browning, feel free to prepare everything in advance and mix in the avocado slices just before serving. Additionally, you can get creative and add more veggies or even some small mozzarella cheese balls to enhance the salad’s flavor and texture.
More Summer Salad Recipes
If you’re a fan of refreshing summer salads, here are some other recipes you might enjoy:
- Tomato, Cucumber & Chickpea Salad
- Red, White & Blueberry Fruit Salad
- Chili-Rubbed Salmon with Summer Corn Salad
- Loaded Veggie Pasta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
- 5-Minute Pea & Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Enjoy Your Summer Pesto Pasta Salad!
I hope you fall in love with this delicious Summer Pesto Pasta Salad just as much as we have. If you try this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a five-star rating below. Don’t forget to share your mouthwatering recreations on Instagram by tagging me with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny. I can’t wait to see all the culinary delights you create!
