This Italian Pesto Pasta Salad is a celebration of simple, bold ingredients coming together in a symphony of flavors and textures. With chewy radiatori pasta, creamy pesto-mayo dressing, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and peppery arugula, it’s a fresh and satisfying dish that feels indulgent but takes almost no time to make.
Whether you’re prepping it for a picnic, lunchbox, or an effortless dinner on a hot day, this salad is sure to please. It’s endlessly adaptable and keeps well in the fridge, making it a summer staple you’ll find yourself craving over and over again.
Full Recipe:
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1 pound radiatori pasta
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1 ½ cups store-bought pesto (such as Trader Joe’s Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto)
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½ cup mayonnaise
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½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably packed in olive oil)
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2 packed cups baby arugula
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
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Cook the radiatori pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
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In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, pesto, mayonnaise, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula.
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Toss everything together until evenly coated.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes
Kcal: ~420 kcal per serving | Servings: 4–6 servings
The Story Behind the 5-Ingredient Italian Pesto Pasta Salad
The 5-Ingredient Italian Pesto Pasta Salad is more than just a quick fix—it’s a celebration of how simplicity in cooking can yield extraordinary results. At its core, this dish reflects the effortless elegance of Mediterranean cuisine. Originating from the love of Italian flavors and the practicality of American-style convenience, this salad combines vibrant ingredients in a way that feels both comforting and gourmet.
As summer hits, many home cooks search for meals that require minimal effort but deliver maximum satisfaction. This pasta salad fits the bill perfectly. It’s light enough for a picnic but filling enough to serve as a full meal. Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ, a meal prep session for the week, or a lazy weeknight dinner, this pasta salad adapts beautifully.
Why Radiatori Pasta Is the Best Choice
While the recipe can technically work with almost any short pasta, radiatori truly shines. Its unique shape, reminiscent of old-school radiators, isn’t just a novelty—it’s functional. The grooved, ridged structure helps to hold sauces, particularly thick ones like pesto-mayo blends. This ensures that every bite is flavorful and cohesive.
Radiatori also holds up well after refrigeration. Unlike more delicate pasta shapes that can turn mushy over time, radiatori retains its texture, making it ideal for meal prep or next-day leftovers. If you can’t find it, alternatives like fusilli, penne, or farfalle can work, but none match the robustness of radiatori for this particular dish.
The Magic of Store-Bought Pesto
In a world where time is short, using high-quality store-bought pesto is a game-changer. While purists may argue that homemade is always best, the truth is that there are some incredible prepared options available today. In particular, vegan pesto varieties—like Trader Joe’s Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto—offer rich, herbaceous flavor without dairy, making the dish more inclusive for a wider audience.
Store-bought pesto also brings consistency. You get a reliable flavor profile and texture every time, and it saves you the effort of sourcing and blending pine nuts, basil, and Parmesan. When blended with mayonnaise in this dish, the pesto transforms into a creamy, herb-forward dressing that coats the pasta luxuriously.
A Creamy Twist: The Role of Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise might seem like an unusual pairing with pesto, but it brings several key benefits. First, it adds a velvety richness that binds all the ingredients together. Second, it balances out the strong herbal notes of the pesto, creating a smoother flavor profile. And third, it helps the pasta salad feel more substantial, turning it from a side dish into a standalone meal.
If you’re hesitant about using mayo, rest assured—it doesn’t dominate the flavor. Instead, it works in the background, rounding out the sharpness of the pesto and adding a subtle creaminess. For those who prefer alternatives, Greek yogurt or vegan mayo can be used with great success.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: A Punch of Umami
The inclusion of sun-dried tomatoes adds a sweet and tangy counterpoint to the rich dressing. These tomatoes, typically packed in olive oil, provide chewy texture and a concentrated burst of flavor that brightens the entire dish. They also bring a rustic, Italian countryside feel that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Chopping the sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces allows them to distribute evenly throughout the pasta, ensuring that each forkful carries a bit of their magic. While some people prefer the dry-packed variety, oil-packed tomatoes are ideal for this recipe, adding both texture and flavor.
Peppery Arugula for Freshness and Bite
Arugula is the ingredient that gives this salad life. Its peppery bite cuts through the richness of the mayo-pesto base, offering a refreshing contrast that keeps the dish from becoming too heavy. Arugula also adds visual appeal with its bright green leaves, making the salad feel vibrant and fresh.
Not only does arugula enhance the dish aesthetically and texturally, but it also contributes nutritionally. It’s packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and a slight bitterness that pairs well with creamy and umami-rich ingredients. It’s added at the end, which preserves its structure and prevents wilting.
Make-Ahead Friendly and Perfect for Meal Prep
One of the most appealing aspects of this salad is how well it holds up over time. Unlike leafy salads that wilt or cream-based dishes that separate, this pasta salad improves in flavor after a few hours in the fridge. The ingredients meld together, and the pasta absorbs the dressing, creating a more cohesive dish.
It’s ideal for meal prepping lunches, taking to work, or having on hand for quick dinners. Stored in an airtight container, it remains fresh for up to five days. This makes it an excellent option for busy families, students, or professionals who want something homemade without the daily effort.
Easy Customizations to Make It Your Own
Despite its simplicity, the 5-ingredient base invites endless customization. You can elevate it with:
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Protein: Add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or canned tuna for a more filling version. Chickpeas or white beans work well for plant-based alternatives.
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Briny Additions: Kalamata olives, capers, or marinated artichoke hearts add depth and saltiness.
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Zesty Enhancements: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest brightens the entire dish.
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Cheesy Goodness: Parmesan, feta, or fresh mozzarella pearls can be folded in for more indulgence.
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Spice It Up: Red pepper flakes or freshly cracked black pepper add a gentle kick that balances the creamy pesto dressing.
With just a few tweaks, the dish can transition from a classic Italian lunch to a Mediterranean dinner, a picnic staple, or a party side.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta salad is endlessly versatile. Serve it:
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Chilled as a main dish with a side of crusty bread and a sparkling lemonade.
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As a BBQ side with grilled meats, skewers, or burgers.
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Packed in lunchboxes with a handful of nuts or fruit.
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Topped with roasted veggies for a warm-meets-cold combo.
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In a wrap for a pesto pasta salad burrito-style lunch.
It works for every season but is especially refreshing during summer months when the kitchen heat is best kept to a minimum.
Health Profile and Dietary Considerations
This salad strikes a nice balance between comfort and wellness. With pesto providing healthy fats, arugula offering fiber and antioxidants, and pasta delivering carbs for energy, it’s a complete meal in itself. Substituting gluten-free pasta or whole wheat pasta can make it more aligned with specific dietary needs.
Opting for vegan pesto and mayo also makes the dish plant-based friendly. Since there’s no cheese or meat in the base recipe, it naturally leans vegetarian—another reason it’s a great crowd-pleaser.
Conclusion: Why This Pasta Salad Belongs in Your Rotation
The 5-Ingredient Italian Pesto Pasta Salad proves that you don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to make something delicious. With just a few carefully selected components, you get a dish that’s satisfying, vibrant, and incredibly easy to prepare.
Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling meals for the family, or someone simply craving something refreshing and flavorful, this recipe delivers. It’s affordable, adaptable, and looks beautiful on any plate. Once you try it, chances are it’ll become one of those dishes you make on repeat—because it’s just that good.