Best 4 Pasta Salad With Pesto Dressing Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our tantalizing pasta salad, an exquisite dish that dances on your palate. Featuring a delightful blend of al dente pasta, vibrant vegetables, and a luscious pesto dressing, this salad is a true masterpiece. The vibrant colors of cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender baby spinach create a visual feast, while the aromatic basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese in the pesto dressing elevate the taste experience to new heights. Discover the culinary magic of this pasta salad as you explore our collection of carefully curated recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. Embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.

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

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

PESTO PASTA SALAD



Pesto Pasta Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup macadamia nuts, lightly toasted
3 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups cilantro leaves
1/2 cup goat cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 to 2 jalapenos, seeded and roughly chopped
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 pound orecchiette pasta, cooked
Parmesan cheese (optional)
4 plum tomatoes, diced

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.

PESTO PASTA CAPRESE SALAD



Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad image

The traditional Caprese salad is modified to pasta form. The mozzarella used is a fresh mozzarella, if you use the brick style, it will not be the same. If you can't find the pearlini mozzarella, use the cieglini and cut it in half. Regular rotini pasta can be used but the cooking time will be different.

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories     Side Dish

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ½ cups rotini pasta
3 tablespoons pesto, or to taste
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup halved grape tomatoes
½ cup small (pearlini) fresh mozzarella balls
2 leaves fresh basil leaves, finely shredded

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
  • Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, granulated garlic, and black pepper in a bowl; add rotini. Toss to coat. Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 168.6 calories, Carbohydrate 17.1 g, Cholesterol 10.4 mg, Fat 8.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 173.1 mg, Sugar 0.8 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh basil in the pesto dressing.
  • If you don't have pesto on hand, you can make your own by following the recipe in the article.
  • Use a variety of pasta shapes and sizes to add visual interest to the salad.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables to the salad, such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini.
  • For a more substantial salad, add some grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
  • Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad with pesto dressing is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer party or potluck. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its vibrant colors and delicious taste, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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