Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable Pesto Pasta Salad, a vibrant dish that captivates the senses. This culinary delight is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, featuring al dente pasta tossed in a luscious homemade pesto sauce, bursting with the aromatic freshness of basil, the nutty richness of pine nuts, and the savory tang of Parmesan cheese. The salad is further enriched with a medley of sun-kissed cherry tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, refreshing cucumbers, and succulent grilled chicken, adding a delightful crunch and a burst of colors. Topped with a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts and freshly chopped basil, this Pesto Pasta Salad is not only a feast for the eyes but also a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Dive into this culinary masterpiece and experience a culinary journey like no other.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
FABULOUS PESTO PASTA SALAD
This chilled pasta salad is perfect as a side dish or a main course. Serve with warm garlic bread and the perfect wine!
Provided by ERILEY
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Farfalle Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, mustard, garlic, basil, oregano, cilantro, hot pepper sauce, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Add the tomatoes, green onions and olives to the bowl, and stir to coat. Refrigerate.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and rinse with cold water to cool. Add pasta to the bowl of dressing, and mix well. Top with mozzarella cheese and pine nuts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 505.5 calories, Carbohydrate 50.7 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Fat 26.7 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 730.6 mg, Sugar 6 g
PESTO PASTA SALAD
For a quick and hearty lunch, mix pasta with bottled pesto sauce.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes
Yield Makes 4 servings as a main dish or 8 as a side dish
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain; rinse well. Let cool. Transfer to a bowl; stir in pesto. Season with salt. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve, up to 3 days.
MAYA'S PERFECT PESTO PASTA SALAD
My 10-year-old daughter Maya and I created this easy but delicious pasta salad, featuring her favorite pesto flavors. This salad is great as the center of a light dinner, or as a side dish.
Provided by mpkneip
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h5m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
- Combine basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, oil, and garlic in a food processor; blend to make pesto.
- Toss pasta with pesto and mix in red onion, radicchio, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 488.6 calories, Carbohydrate 57.6 g, Cholesterol 8.1 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 214.2 mg, Sugar 3.4 g
GARDEN PESTO PASTA SALAD
My family and I live on a homestead in the Missouri Ozarks and produce much of our own food. In the summer, when the garden is bursting with fresh vegetables and it's too hot to cook, I like to use the season's veggies for pasta salads and other cool meals. -Sarah Mathews, Ava, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well., Meanwhile, whisk together pesto, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in oil until blended., Combine vegetables and pasta. Drizzle with pesto dressing; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, about 1 hour. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 217 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 339mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use fresh basil. If you don't have fresh basil on hand, you can use dried basil, but the flavor will be less intense.
- Use a good quality olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice, as it has a more robust flavor.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it according to the package directions, or until it is al dente (firm to the bite).
- If you are using sun-dried tomatoes, be sure to rehydrate them in hot water before adding them to the salad.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the salad, such as chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or corn.
- If you are making the salad ahead of time, do not add the dressing until just before serving. This will prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
Conclusion:
Pesto pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is also a healthy option, as it is packed with fresh vegetables and healthy fats. With a few simple tips, you can make a pesto pasta salad that is sure to impress your friends and family.
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