Are you in search of the perfect recipe to whip up a delightful pesto pasta salad that strikes the ideal balance between flavors and textures? Look no further! We embark on a culinary journey to discover the secrets behind achieving that "just right" pesto pasta salad. From selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering the art of emulsifying the pesto sauce, we'll guide you through every step of the process. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress your friends and family with a dish that combines the vibrant flavors of basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese with the al dente texture of perfectly cooked pasta. Buon appetito!
Let's cook with our recipes!
PESTO PASTA SALAD
This pesto pasta salad recipe is bursting with fresh flavor. It's light, healthy and easy to make. Perfect for picnics and potlucks! Recipe yields 6 to 8 side servings.
Provided by Cookie and Kate
Categories Salad
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain and immediately rinse the pasta under cool water to prevent the noodles from sticking to one another. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl.
- Meanwhile, to prepare the pesto: In a small skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat, stirring often, until they are fragrant and making little popping noises, about 5 minutes. Pour half of the pepitas into a bowl for later (we will use them as garnish).
- Pour the remaining pepitas into a food processor. Add the basil, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and salt. Process while slowly drizzling in the olive oil, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary, until the pepitas have broken down to create a pretty smooth sauce.
- To assemble the pasta salad, pour all of the pesto over the pasta and toss until the pasta is lightly and evenly coated, adding a tiny splash of reserved pasta cooking water if necessary to thin it out. Then add the cherry tomatoes, arugula, remaining toasted pepitas, and any optional add-ins (olives, chickpeas and/or cheese).
- Toss again to combine, then season to taste with pepper. If the pasta needs more flavor, add salt, to taste, or a splash of lemon juice. If the flavors are too bold, let it rest for a few minutes, and add a little splash of olive oil if necessary to tone down the rest.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 457 calories, Sugar 3.3 g, Sodium 153.8 mg, Fat 30 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 45.2 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
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
JUST-RIGHT PESTO PASTA SALAD
I LOVE pesto pasta, but it seems whenever I get it from the deli, it's either too salty or too oily or both. Also, homemade pesto pasta salads tend to rely on jarred pesto sauce, all of which I find are also too oily and/or salty. Well, you know what they say about what to do if you want something done right, and this recipe is the result. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Provided by allimarie
Categories Potluck
Time 30m
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook pasta as indicated on package. Rinse with cold water, drain, and set aside in large bowl.
- Combine water, olive oil, and dry Knorr pesto mix together in a small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring often.
- Lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 or more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Peel and wash garlic. Chop finely and add to bowl with pasta.
- Wash tomatoes and slice lengthwise. Add to pasta.
- Dice black olives and add to pasta.
- Add basil to pasta and stir until all ingredients are well mingled.
- Pour sauce over pasta mixture and stir.
- Sprinkle Parmesan over pasta and stir well.
- Chill overnight for best results.
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
Tips for Making the Best Pesto Pasta Salad
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the salad will taste.
- Make sure the pasta is cooked al dente. This means that it should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it.
- Use a good quality pesto. If you can, make your own pesto at home. It's easy to do and tastes much better than store-bought pesto.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. You can add grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or even fruit to your salad.
- Make sure to chill the salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and will make the salad more refreshing.
Conclusion
Pesto pasta salad is a delicious, versatile, and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for summertime gatherings. With its bright, flavorful pesto, tender pasta, and variety of fresh vegetables, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this pesto pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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