Best 4 Best Pesto Pasta Salad Recipes

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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



Fabulous Pesto Pasta Salad image

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

1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 ½ cups chopped fresh basil
½ cup chopped fresh oregano
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
⅓ cup red wine vinegar
½ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 (4 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can minced black olives
1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
½ cup pine nuts
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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



Pesto Pasta Salad image

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

Coarse salt
1 pound orecchiette pasta
1 cup store-bought basil pesto (8 ounces)

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



Maya's Perfect Pesto Pasta Salad image

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

1 (16 ounce) package corkscrew-shaped pasta (fusilli)
¾ cup chopped fresh basil
¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup pine nuts
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, diced
½ cup finely diced red onion
½ cup finely diced radicchio
1 tablespoon mayonnaise, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste

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



Garden Pesto Pasta Salad image

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

3 cups uncooked spiral pasta (about 9 ounces)
1/2 cup prepared pesto
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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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