Bacon Pesto Pasta Salad

If you’re looking for a pasta salad that disappears quickly at a party, this is the one. Creamy pesto, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and a little bite from red onion come together with pasta for a simple side dish that feels anything but boring.

I love recipes like this because they’re easy to make ahead and even better when all of the flavors have a little time to come together. It’s the kind of dish that works just as well on a weeknight dinner table as it does at a backyard gathering, summer cookout, or dinner party.

Why You’ll Love It

The pesto brings so much flavor without needing a long list of ingredients, while the bacon adds that salty, crispy bite that makes you want to keep going back for another forkful. Fresh tomatoes and basil brighten everything up, and the red onion adds just enough crunch and sharpness to balance it all out.

It’s colorful, flavorful, and incredibly easy to throw together — exactly what I want in a good pasta salad.

What You’ll Need

• Pasta

• Pesto

• Bacon

• Fresh tomatoes

• Red onion

• Fresh basil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

  
  

How to Make It

Start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions. Once it’s cooked, drain it and let it cool.

While the pasta is cooking, crisp up your bacon and chop your tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil.

Add the cooled pasta to a large bowl, then toss it with the pesto until everything is well coated. Fold in the bacon, tomatoes, red onion, and basil, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Give everything a good toss, then let it chill in the refrigerator before serving. This gives the flavors a chance to come together and makes it even better.

A Few Tips

Let the pasta cool first. If the pasta is too hot when you add the pesto, it can become oily rather than creamy and well coated.

Don’t skip the fresh basil. The pesto gives you that delicious basil flavor, but fresh basil adds a bright, fresh element that really makes the salad pop.

Make it ahead. This is a great recipe to prepare a few hours before serving, which makes it perfect for entertaining.

Whether you’re bringing it to a cookout, serving it alongside grilled chicken, or just looking for something easy to make for dinner, this Bacon Pesto Pasta Salad is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making on repeat.

Simple ingredients, big flavor, and always a crowd favorite — what more could you ask for?