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    Home » Recipe Index » Easy Side Dish Recipes

    Pesto Pasta Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

    Published: Jul 18, 2021 · Modified: May 20, 2025 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a comment.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 11 reviews

    This pesto pasta salad with sundried tomatoes is my go-to side dish for summer cookouts and easy weeknight dinners. And even better, it comes together in just 30 minutes! It's simple, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser.

    Pesto pasta salad with sundried tomatoes in a serving bowl, on a wooden cutting board, with large gold metal serving spoons.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Recipe Instructions with Photos
    • Pairing Ideas
    • Optional Add-Ins
    • Storage Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Recipes You'll Like
    • Pesto Pasta Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
    • Hungry for more?
    • 💬 Comments

    Pesto pasta salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes, but honestly, I make it year-round! If you’ve been around here a while, you know I’m a little pesto-obsessed. And this recipe is just one example!

    It starts with your favorite pasta tossed in pesto, cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, and chopped walnuts, then finished with fresh basil and parmesan. It's seriously so simple and so good.

    Love pesto as much as I do? Try these pesto-crusted salmon and sun-dried tomato pesto chicken recipes next!

    Ingredients Needed

    Ingredients needed to make pesto pasta salad measured out and in bowls.
    • Short Pasta – Use your favorite short noodle here. Bowtie, fusilli, penne, or shells all work well.
    • Sundried Tomatoes – Packed with rich, savory flavor. I use the kind packed in olive oil, but if you buy the dry kind (in a bag), just rehydrate them in warm water first and then drizzle with olive oil.
    • Grated Parmesan – This recipe uses a full cup. It adds salty flavor and a bit of texture that clings to the pasta and soaks up some of the oil.
    • Fresh Basil – A summer must! Skip the fridge and store it like flowers: trim the stems and keep it in a glass of water on your counter.
    • Basil Pesto – Homemade is great if you have the ingredients on hand. I usually keep a jar of DeLallo Simply Pesto in the pantry. It’s easy to grab and has great flavor.
    • Cherry Tomatoes – They add brightness and a little sweetness.
    • Walnuts – Just a handful of chopped walnuts adds a soft crunch and earthy contrast to the pesto.

    Recipe Instructions with Photos

    This easy pesto pasta salad recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and can be made a day ahead or right before serving. There's minimal prep work and no fuss. My kind of dish!

    1. Cook your pasta.
    2. Chop up the cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and sun-dried tomatoes.
    3. Mix all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
    4. Chill before serving if desired or serve immediately. It's up to you!
    5. Enjoy!
    All of the ingredients needed to make pesto pasta sundried tomato salad in a large mixing bowl, ready to be mixed.
    Pesto pasta salad mixed in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

    Pairing Ideas

    Pesto pasta salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of mains and sides, making it perfect for summer gatherings or easy weeknight dinners. Here are some delicious ideas:

    • Blackened Chicken Thighs
    • Smashed Turkey Burgers
    • Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Skewers
    • Grilled Chicken Thighs with Marinade

    Optional Add-Ins

    I think any of the following additions would be delicious in this pasta salad. Versatility is one of the reasons why I love making it!

    • Veggies - Red peppers, roasted eggplant, or kalamata olives.
    • Protein - Grilled shrimp or chicken.
    • Cheese - Freshly shredded mozzarella or mozzarella pearls.

    Storage Instructions

    Store this sun-dried tomato pesto pasta salad in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This can be made up to a day in advance of serving. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What else can I use my leftover jar of pesto for?

    You could add a layer of pesto to any sandwich or wrap. Top roasted chicken or broiled fish with a dollop of pesto. Many of my recipes call for a pesto mayo spread, like this Caprese Chicken Sandwich. You could also use it as a marinade for veggies or chicken.

    Is this pasta salad good served cold?

    Yes! It’s best served at room temperature or cold, making it perfect for cookouts, picnics, or meal prep lunches. As an added bonus, it's mayo-free!

    What can I use instead of walnuts?

    Pine nuts, slivered almonds, or even sunflower seeds make great substitutes. Or skip the nuts entirely if there's an allergy.

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    If you tried this recipe for Pesto Pasta Salad with Sundried Tomatoes or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

    Print

    Pesto Pasta Salad with Sundried Tomatoes

    Pesto pasta salad with sundried tomatoes in a large serving bowl.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 11 reviews

    This pesto pasta salad with sundried tomatoes is my go-to side dish for summer cookouts and easy weeknight dinners. And even better, it comes together in just 30 minutes! It's simple, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser.

    • Author: Katie
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: side dish
    • Method: stove top cooking
    • Cuisine: Italian American
    • Diet: Vegetarian

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pound bowtie pasta (dry)
    • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
    • 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil - cut into ribbons
    • ½ cup diced sundried tomatoes (packed in oil)
    • ½ cup basil pesto
    • ½ cup walnut halves & pieces
    • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.  Drain and rinse with cold water until the pasta is fully cooled down. You need to cool off the pasta so the parmesan cheese doesn't melt. Transfer the cooked pasta into a large mixing bowl.
    2. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl with the cooked pasta (cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, sundried tomatoes, pesto, walnuts, and parmesan).  Mix well to combine.
    3. You can serve the pasta salad immediately or refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before serving.
    4. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Homemade pesto is great if you have the ingredients on hand. When I don't have homemade, I always use DeLallo Simply Pesto.
    • The nutrition information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.  It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 396
    • Sugar: 3 g
    • Sodium: 328 mg
    • Fat: 16.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 47.6 g
    • Fiber: 3.4 g
    • Protein: 14.1 g
    • Cholesterol: 7.2 mg

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    Comments

    1. Elizabeth Flight says

      July 20, 2021 at 10:39 am

      Absolutely delicious recipe! We loved it!

      Reply
    2. Erin Gierhart says

      July 20, 2021 at 9:30 am

      This pasta salad is so easy to make, and is perfect for summer! We had it with grilled chicken and they paired beautifully!

      Reply
    3. Ramona says

      July 20, 2021 at 2:34 am

      This pesto pasta salad was absolutely delicious, I’ll definitely make it again! Perfect for this canicular weather.

      Reply
    4. Brianna says

      July 19, 2021 at 9:42 pm

      Easy to make and so good!

      Reply
    5. Kristina says

      July 19, 2021 at 5:44 pm

      Sun dried tomatoes are just the bomb! This was very good..plan to make it again for my next house guests.

      Reply
    6. Brianna May says

      July 19, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      Yum!

      Reply
    7. Angela says

      July 19, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      This is such a delicious summer salad. I have so much fresh basil in my garden. I will definitely be making this again soon!

      Reply
    8. Amanda Dixon says

      July 19, 2021 at 11:44 am

      Such a great pasta salad for summer! I just love the pesto and sundried tomatoes together.

      Reply
    9. Emily Flint says

      July 19, 2021 at 11:09 am

      I love pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and this recipe was delicious!

      Reply
    10. Liz says

      July 19, 2021 at 11:06 am

      This has everything I love in it. So, so good!

      Reply

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    Katie in front of a tree

    I'm Katie, the food blogger, recipe developer, and photographer behind Sugar & Snap Peas. I mostly share high-protein dinner recipes for busy families. These easy dinner ideas take the guesswork out of mealtime so that you can get back to family time, knowing dinner is taken care of!

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