Best 7 Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad Recipes

CREAMY CILANTRO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
• While the water is heating and pasta is cooking, make the cilantro pesto. Place all the ingredients, except olive oil, in a food processor and pulse until combined and it looks like a rough paste, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. While the food processor is running, pour olive oil in a steady stream and process until smooth.
• When pasta is ready, save about 1/2 cup of pasta water (don't forget, it's important for the sauce!) and drain the pasta in a colander.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, and cook garlic for 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Pour cream and mix. Turn off the heat and stir in cilantro pesto. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. Add a little bit of pasta cooking water, a little bit at a time, until you reach a perfectly smooth texture. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve immediately.

PASTA WITH CILANTRO-ALMOND PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds on a rimmed baking sheet; toast until golden and fragrant, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely. Coarsely chop 1/3 cup; reserve.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, drop garlic in feed tube of a running food processor. Add 2/3 cup almonds; process until coarsely chopped. Add cilantro and oil; process to a paste. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add pesto to drained pasta along with 1/4 cup pasta water to loosen pesto slightly. Toss to combine, creating a silky sauce. Serve with carrots, feta, reserved almonds, and cilantro sprigs.

CILANTRO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Place first 8 ingredients in food processor or blender and blend until smooth, then add the pasta water. Toss with hot pasta, adjust seasonings, then serve immediately.

PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients for pesto sauce in food processor, except olive oil and lime juice. Pulse to a rough paste, then pulse in olive oil and lime juice. Toss with cooked, cooled pasta and Parmesan. Fold in 3 chopped tomatoes, and scatter 4th tomato over top of pasta.

CILANTRO LIME PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of filtered water to a rapid boil. Add the olive oil and pasta to the water. Return to a boil. Cook uncovered until al dente, 6 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl and fold in the olives, bell peppers and pumpkin seeds. Mix well to combine and set aside.
• For the pesto: Place the basil, olive oil, cilantro, pine nuts, lime juice, garlic, nama shoyu, salt, pepper and cayenne in a food processor. Process until semi-smooth, with a little bit of a chunky texture. Combine the noodles and pesto sauce with your hands and mix vigorously. Top with a sprinkle of hemp seeds, the reserved black olives, basil and pine nuts.

FABULOUS CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and return water to a boil. Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain well.
• In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, nuts, and salt. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
• Pour pesto in a small saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until pesto begins to simmer. Pour over cooked pasta and toss.

CILANTRO PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook rigatoni to al dente.
• In blender, blend oil, cilantro, garlic and oregano until smooth.
• Toss pasta and dressing, and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix in pine nuts and olives.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Toss again before serving.