Love pesto? This White Bean Pesto Pasta Salad recipe from Twin Cities food blogger greens & chocolate is a must make! It’s a great make-ahead lunch, a delicious BBQ side, or a hearty dinner. The options—and fresh flavors—are endless.

During the warmer months, pasta salad is my go-to meal prep dish. Not only does it keep really well, but there are just so many versions of pasta salad you can make! A classic mayo-based pasta salad is a common go-to, especially for a BBQ side dish, but I like to keep things a bit lighter, like with this Pesto Pasta Salad.

Pesto is one of those sauces that is so versatile. No matter what kind of dish you use it in, it adds a ton of flavor, which means you don’t really need many other ingredients. However, it pays to use a good quality pesto. I love using freshly homemade pesto in recipes like this pasta salad, especially during the summer months when basil plants are overflowing, but jarred pesto also works really well.

This White Bean Pesto Pasta Salad is great for so many occasions. You can bring it to a BBQ or a potluck, make a batch for lunch throughout the week, or even call it a meal! The addition of white beans and shredded chicken means it is hearty and packed with protein. To pack even more of a protein punch, you can use chickpea or protein fortified pasta. It will be a crowd favorite, for sure!