Best 5 Cold Pesto Pasta Salad Recipes
Cold pesto pasta salad is the perfect way to enjoy fresh, summery flavors in a simple yet delicious dish. Made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, pesto is a vibrant sauce that pairs perfectly with a variety of pasta shapes and vegetables. Topped with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, or grilled chicken, this salad is a colorful and flavorful choice for a light lunch, dinner, or potluck. Try your hand at making this tasty dish with our easy-to-follow recipe.
Let's cook with our recipes!
PESTO PASTA SALAD
Pesto is delicious in pasta salad! If you've never had this combination, you're in for a treat. Make fresh basil pesto and dress up spiral pasta with olives, cherry tomatoes, green peas, and pine nuts. Great for lunch or a light dinner.
Provided by Elise Bauer
Categories Salad Quick and Easy Basil Pasta Salad Pesto
Time 25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook the pasta: Cook pasta according to instructions on the package. Make sure the water is salted (one and a half teaspoons per quart). Remove pasta from heat and strain when pasta is cooked, but still firm (al dente).
- Toast the pine nuts: While the pasta is cooking, toast the pine nuts in a small pan over medium-high heat. Keep an eye on them because pine nuts can go from lovely and toasty to acrid and burnt in seconds. When most of the nuts have a blush of golden brown on them, move them to a cool bowl or plate to rest. They will burn if you leave them in the pan.
- Mix the salad pasta: Put pasta in a big bowl. Mix in fresh basil pesto, green olives, and pine nuts. Gently toss in cherry tomatoes, peas, fresh basil leaves, and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 371 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 8 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 266 mg, Sugar 3 g, Fat 22 g, ServingSize Serves 6-8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
COLD PESTO PASTA SALAD
This recipe was submitted to Semi-homemade magazine by Courtney Dollar. It is a great accompaniment to a picnic, backyard bbq or anywhere you need multiple dishes that are easy to make and go well with a variety of foods. Super with chicken or sandwiches. If you substitute tri-color pasta it makes it even more colorful when matched with the fresh vegetables. You can add onions for more flavor but it is good without too. Enjoy! ChefDLH
Provided by ChefDLH
Categories Summer
Time 15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot cook pasta according to the package directions.
- Drain pasta and rinse with cold water and drain again.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, and pesto.
- toss.
- top with parmesan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 238.8, Fat 1.6, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 7.3, Carbohydrate 53.6, Fiber 7.8, Sugar 0.9, Protein 5.8
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
PESTO PASTA SALAD
Pasta Salad is classic summer dish that is perfect for all kinds of parties, BBQ's and picnics. This Pesto Salad is filled with fresh ingredients that are an amazing flavor combination.
Provided by Katie Clark
Categories Salad
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil
- Cook pasta until ad dente
- Drain pasta
- While still hot, mix with pesto sauce
- Let cook about 15 minutes
- Add cherry tomatoes that have been diced and Parmesan cheese
- Toss and chill until ready to serve
Nutrition Facts : Calories 292 calories, Carbohydrate 18 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 35 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 18 grams fat, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 15 grams protein, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 329 grams sodium, Sugar 1 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams unsaturated fat
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
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Choose a flavorful pesto sauce that you enjoy. You can make your own pesto or use a store-bought variety.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions, then rinse and drain it.
- Chop the vegetables and herbs into small pieces so they are easy to eat.
- Toss the pasta, vegetables, herbs, and pesto sauce together until well combined.
- Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later.
Conclusion:
Cold pesto pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you are looking for a light lunch or a hearty dinner, cold pesto pasta salad is a great option. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dish, give cold pesto pasta salad a try.
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