Easy Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe With Just 5 Ingredients

I love easy pasta salads and this one is a favorite that we turn to for dinner all the time—and it also works great to pack as an easy school lunch idea. The pesto gives it fresh flavor and nutrition and the rest of the ingredients are super simple and easy to prep. I love this pasta salad recipe because it’s really straight forward and it relies on veggies for crunch, beans for protein, and pesto for flavor (and extra nutrition). It’s a wonderfully easy meal on its own or paired with corn on the cob, baked chicken tenders, or a side of fruit. And yes, I do realize that some kids may not want the veggies or beans—and that’s fine! There’s plenty of nutrition in the pasta and pesto itself and exposure to the other ingredients is a good thing. Maybe one day they’ll surprise you and try one of those foods! (You may also like my Best Easy Pasta Salad, which has a classic Italian flavor., and my Orzo Pasta Salad.)

Ingredients You Need

To make this pesto pasta salad recipe you’ll need the following ingredients. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.

Pasta: Any kind you like, whether regular, whole wheat, gluten-free, or bean based. White beans: I prefer cannellini beans as they are very tender. Cucumber: Any variety works, though English cucumber tends to have less seeds (which is more pleasant in my opinion.) Cherry tomatoes: Any color works, though yellow tend to be a little sweeter. Pesto: You can use store-bought pesto, or Spinach Pesto or Kale Pesto.

TIP: Add diced chicken, shrimp, or mozzarella for additional protein if desired. Add shredded Parmesan, diced olives, or roasted sunflower seeds for additional flavor if you’d like!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the basics involved in making this easy pesto pasta salad recipe. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information, including the timing and amounts. TIP: I like to use a smaller shape of pasta like elbows, mini wagon wheels, ditalini, or farfalle so the pasta is about the same size as the beans and veggies.

How to Pack Pasta Salad for Lunch

This is a great kids lunch recipe to make ahead of time and pack throughout the week. (I love to have it on hand for myself too!) Simply make it ahead, store it in the fridge, and pack it in your favorite kids lunch box. The kids can plan to eat it chilled at school, though it should also be fine at room temperature. TIP: You can pack a spoon or fork with this pasta salad, or assume the kids will eat it with their hands if they aren’t quite using utensils reliably yet.

How to Store

You can make this up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Best Tips for Success

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Add diced chicken, shrimp, or mozzarella for additional protein. Add shredded Parmesan, diced olives, or roasted sunflower seeds for additional flavor. I like to use a smaller shape of pasta like elbows, mini wagon wheels, ditalini, or farfalle. I like to use Spinach Pesto for this, but any will work if you prefer to buy it premade from the store. Pack in a lunch box or serve for dinner.

I’d love to hear what you think of this recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share.