• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
G-Free Foodie logo
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Beverages
    • Dairy Free
    • Desserts
    • Kid Zone
    • Main Dishes
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Quick & Easy
    • Recipes & Techniques by Cooks We Love
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Vegan
  • Articles
    • Dining Tips
    • G-Free Foodie Guides
    • G-Free Foodie Mommies
    • G-Free Foodie Product Reviews
    • Gluten Free Advice + Experts
    • KC's Blog
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • Articles
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home / Recipes / Main Dishes

    Easy Pesto Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella

    Posted On Oct 4, 2020 · Updated On Oct 28, 2021

    Easy Pesto Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella

    Serve this easy & delicious quinoa salad as a meal or a side. Everyone loves it!

    Main DishesSalads & DressingsSide DishesYou Say Tomato

    Share

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Easy Pesto Quinoa with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella recipe

    This Easy Pesto Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella is a tasty main dish or side salad that comes together in a snap.  It's loaded with all the delicious flavors of Caprese salad, but the addition of quinoa makes it filling - and satisfying. 

    Jump to Recipe

    You start with cooked and cooled quinoa. I often make batches of quinoa and leave it in the fridge to add to salads and soups. The basic recipe for quinoa is easy, all you need is quinoa, water and a bit of salt. You need 1 cup of uncooked quinoa to make 2 ½ or 3 cups of cooked quinoa, which is what you need for this recipe. You can use any color quinoa you choose. I like the light brown for this recipe, which is the most widely available.

    Simple Walnut Pesto recipe

    If you have a store-bought pesto sauce you love, use that here. You can also whip up a batch yourself - I keep Simple Walnut Pesto on hand, stowed in the fridge for cooking, topping pasta and swirling in soups. I make a bunch and then freeze it, so that's the pesto I usually use here. If you're using store-bought, the ones found in the freezer or refrigerated sections are usually best. They have much fresher flavor.

    The fresh mozzarella balls labeled Ciliegine (which means cherry-sized) are perfect for this recipe. You could also use Noccioline, which are a bit smaller, or chop up larger balls. make it work for you! This salad is great on it's own, or with chicken or salmon added in. I hope you enjoy it - it's one of my favorites.

    Easy Pesto Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Easy Pesto Quinoa Salad with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella

    This Easy Pesto Quinoa with Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella recipe is loaded with traditional and delicious caprese salad flavors.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: easy dinner recipes, gluten-free salad, pesto
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 501kcal
    Author: K.C. Cornwell

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup pesto homemade or store-bought
    • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 ½ cups cooked Quinoa
    • 1 pint quartered cherry or grape tomatoes
    • 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, whisk together the pesto, extra-virgin olive oil and pepper. Add the cooked and cooled Quinoa, quartered tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes. Season with salt and serve.

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    Great the next day too!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 571mg | Potassium: 513mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1904IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 297mg | Iron: 2mg

    Photos: Meg van der Kruik - who now eats this quinoa salad on repeat!

    Caprese Pesto Quinoa salad recipe

    You May Also Like

    • The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
      The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
    • Tomato Water | The Fresh Tomato Recipe You Didn't Know You Needed
      Tomato Water | The Fresh Tomato Recipe You Didn't Know You…
    • Is Quinoa Gluten-Free? All About Quinoa + Basic Recipe
      Is Quinoa Gluten-Free? All About Quinoa + Basic Recipe
    • Simple Walnut Pesto
      Simple Walnut Pesto
    « Is Quinoa Gluten-Free? All About Quinoa + Basic Recipe
    Ben & Jerry’s Gluten Free Flavors List »

    Share

    Reader Interactions

    Let Us Know What You Think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sign up for our Newsletter & live deliciously G-Free

    K.C. the G-Free Foodie

    K.C. is a farm-grown foodie, born and raised in the fertile fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease following years of unexplained illness, she has infused her gluten-free life with flavor, fork in hand. Learn more about K.C.

    Featured Recipes

    rose wine slush

    Raspberry Frosé: Rosé Wine Slush Recipe

    GrilledShrimpwithFreshCornZucchiniandTomatoSalsa

    Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Corn, Zucchini and Tomato Salsa

    tomato water

    Tomato Water | The Fresh Tomato Recipe You Didn't Know You Needed

    easy single serving sangria

    Easy Single-Serving Sangria

    SHOP GLUTEN FREE FAVES

    Popular Categories

    • Appetizers + Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Dining Tips
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick + Easy
    • Salads + Dressings
    • Soups
    • Tips + Tricks

    Footer

    People

    • About Us
    • K.C. Cornwell
    • G-Free Foodie Gluten Free Advocates + Experts

    Business

    • Partnerships
    • Contact
    • Gluten Free Consulting Services
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
    • Links & Cool Stuff

    Follow Me

    G-Free Foodie © 2022 · All Rights Reserved