Pasta salad with pesto is a classic dish that is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick and easy weeknight meal. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, with a variety of ingredients that can be added to create a unique and flavorful salad. Whether you prefer a classic pesto sauce or a more adventurous variation, there is a perfect pasta salad with pesto recipe for everyone.
Let's cook with our recipes!
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
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
PASTA, PESTO, AND PEAS
Blend fresh basil pesto at home for Ina Garten's Pasta, Pesto and Peas recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, and have a vibrant springtime meal.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories main-dish
Time 32m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with the olive oil. Cool to room temperature.
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayonnaise and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.
- Place the walnuts, pignoli, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 15 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is thoroughly pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use right away or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.
- Notes: Air is the enemy of pesto. For freezing, pack it in containers with a film of oil or plastic wrap directly on top with the air pressed out.
- To clean basil, remove the leaves, swirl them in a bowl of water, and then spin them very dry in a salad spinner. Store them in a closed plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel. As long as the leaves are dry they will stay green for several days.
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
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
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.
PASTA SALAD WITH LEMON-PESTO DRESSING
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it.
- Place pesto, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, tomatoes, scallions and cheese in a large bowl.
- Cook pasta to al dente then cold shock it and chill it down under cold running water. Drain well. Add to mixing bowl. Combine salad and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
PESTO PASTA SALAD
Enjoy this veggie pesto pasta salad with cucumber, peas, cherry tomatoes and basil for an easy family meal. It's great for a packed lunch or summery picnic
Provided by Lulu Grimes
Categories Dinner, Lunch
Time 22m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook the pasta for 10 mins in salted boiling water until al dente, drain, then tip into a bowl. Stir in the crème fraîche followed by the pesto, then leave to cool.
- When the pasta is cool, stir in the cucumber, tomatoes and peas followed by the basil leaves. Season if it needs it, and tip into a container to transport it.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 19 grams fat, SaturatedFat 10 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 49 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 11 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium
PESTO PASTA SALAD
We grow a large crop of basil each summer and make dozens of jars of pesto sauce to use in dishes such as this salad. You'll love the combination of garlic and herbs.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 18-20 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the first 13 ingredients; set aside. For dressing, process garlic in a blender or food processor until finely chopped. Add basil, cheese, slivered almonds, salt, tarragon, pepper and sugar. Process 15-30 seconds or until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, gradually add oil until mixture is smooth. Add vinegar and process until blended. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Just before serving, add whole almonds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 315 calories, Fat 21g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 402mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients whenever possible, especially for the pesto. Fresh basil will give your salad the best flavor.
- If you don't have time to make your own pesto, you can use store-bought pesto. Just be sure to choose a high-quality pesto that is made with fresh ingredients.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to your salad, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- If you are using a dry pasta, be sure to cook it al dente according to the package directions. This will help prevent the salad from becoming too mushy.
- You can also use a cooked meat or fish in your salad, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.
- Serve the salad immediately, or chill it for later. The salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Pasta salad with pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is also a healthy and versatile salad that can be customized to your liking. With so many different variations to choose from, you are sure to find a pasta salad with pesto that you will love.
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