Simple, 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad Recipe

This 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad is made with just pasta, pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls - an easy pasta salad recipe that's big on flavor but short on prep work.

Last weekend we had our annual neighborhood cul-de-sac party. While I always look forward to these parties, the past few weeks have been especially hectic, and I found myself scrambling at the last minute for a dish to bring. Enter The 4-Ingredient Pasta Salad. I grabbed a jar of pesto, a pint of cherry tomatoes, and a container of little mozzarella balls, tossed it all together with some cooked pasta, and that's it! This flavorful salad was incredibly easy to make, tasted delicious, and was perfect for our summer party. It may just become my new go-to for easy, potluck dinners!  

(PS - I also LOVE my Quinoa Salad With Tomatoes and Mint, my Chopped Mediterranean Cucumber Salad, my Cherry Burrata Salad, and my sweet Peach Caprese Salad - all super easy salads which are equally as great for a summer hangout!)

Why I Love This Recipe

So many reasons!  Here are a few:

• Easy. With just four main ingredients, it's incredibly easy to toss together, making it an ideal option for a quick weeknight dinner or a summer potluck. Plus, it's a classic side dish that goes with everything.
• Delicious!  The creamy pesto sauce, juicy grape tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella create a refreshing cold pasta salad that's delicious, but also on the lighter side, which I appreciate during the summer months.
• Great as a side dish or the main event. This pasta salad is the perfect side dish and works great alongside burgers, sloppy joe sliders, this Lipton onion soup meatloaf, grilled lemon chicken, or grilled veggies. But it's also a great standalone meal.
• No mayo! Don't get me wrong, I love a good summer mayo salad. But sometimes it's nice to have a break from the classic macaroni salad, ya know? And, if you're serving this on a hot summer day outside, it's sort of nice to not have a heavy salad marinating in the sun for hours if you know what I mean. (That said, if you do want a mayo option, see below for a variation.)
• Make ahead. This easy pasta salad recipe is great for meal prep since it keeps well in an airtight container for several days.

Key Ingredients

Just a few simple ingredients help this easy recipe come together. 

• Pasta: Use any pasta shape you prefer. I prefer using shorter pasta for this pasta salad since it's easier to eat (especially if you're bringing it somewhere where people are balancing it on a paper plate with other sides and dishes!) Rotini, fusilli, penne, rotini, or bowtie pasta shapes work well because they hold onto the pesto sauce nicely. 
• Basil pesto: A good quality pesto is key. I love Costco's jar of basil pesto that can usually be found in their refrigerated section. 
• Cherry or grape tomatoes. These add a burst of sweetness and a pop of color to the salad and are easy to find just about anywhere (bonus points if you happen to pick up some farm-fresh cherry tomatoes from the farmers market!) 
• Fresh mozzarella balls. Creamy and mild, they complement the other ingredients perfectly. I like to get the little packages of "snacking mozzarella" and slice them in half. They're the perfect size for this salad.
• Fresh basil (optional). So technically this would be a fifth ingredient, but you don't have to add it if you don't want to (there's already tons of great basil flavor from the pesto). I like the added visual effect of the basil in this salad, but don't sweat it if you don't have any or don't want to bother. You could also add a bit of parsley if you don't have any basil, for an extra touch of color and flavor.

How To Make 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad

This pesto pasta salad is so simple to make. Here's what you'll do:

Step 1: Cook the pasta. Follow the package instructions to cook your pasta until al dente. Drain and allow it to cool to room temperature. If you're in a hurry, you can speed up the cooling process by running cold water over the cooked pasta while it's in the colander.

Step 2: Combine ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the prepared pesto sauce, sliced cherry or grape tomatoes, and halved mozzarella balls.

Step 3: Mix well: Give everything a good stir to ensure the pesto coats all the ingredients evenly.

Step 4: Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl and, if desired, sprinkle with fresh, torn basil. Serve cold.

Expert Tips

• Salt the pasta water well. Since the dressing here is just pesto, this is your only chance to season the pasta itself.
• Slice or halve the mozzarella and tomatoes. Halving them to roughly pasta-bite size ensures every forkful gets a bit of everything.
• Use a good-quality refrigerated pesto over shelf-stable jarred. The flavor difference is noticeable in a recipe this simple.
• Pat cherry tomatoes dry after slicing. This is especially important if they're very juicy, so the salad doesn't turn watery as it sits.

Variations And Substitutions

If you're making a 4 Ingredient pasta salad in the first place, you're likely in a pinch to get something out the door. Here are a few variations or substitutions if you find yourself without all the ingredients above. 

• Sub out the pesto. I'll be honest, the pesto really makes this cool pasta salad, but if you don't have it, you can take a different approach and just use a tangy Italian dressing or even a simple olive oil and vinegar blend.
• Make it creamier. Stir 2-3 tablespoons of mayonnaise into the pesto before tossing with the pasta. It mellows the basil flavor and gives the sauce a creamier, tangier edge. (Great for those of you who love mayo-based pasta salads!)
• Greek pasta salad: Swap the pesto for a Greek yogurt dressing, and add feta cheese, kalamata olives, and diced cucumber.
• Add some more veggies. No tomatoes? Use chopped red bell peppers instead. Or add extra veggies like some diced red onion for more crunch and color. 
• Add some protein.  You'll be beyond the 4-ingredients here, but adding some cooked chicken, shrimp, steak, or even chickpeas can turn this easily from a side dish into a filling meal.  

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Summer Salads