Best 3 Super Easy Pesto Pasta Salad Recipes

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Are you looking for a simple and delightful pasta salad recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights or summer gatherings? Look no further than our super easy pesto pasta salad! This vibrant and flavorful dish combines tender pasta, creamy pesto sauce, a variety of fresh vegetables, and your favorite protein for a satisfying and nutritious meal. With minimal effort and maximum taste, our recipe will guide you through the process of creating a delicious pesto pasta salad that will impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

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

SUPER EASY PESTO PASTA SALAD



Super Easy Pesto Pasta Salad image

This couldn't be easier to make, and it was so good! I got the original idea from Kraft, but really made it my own!

Provided by Spookygirl

Categories     Penne

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

3/4 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh basil, washed
1 clove garlic, pressed,chopped or smashed,to taste
1/4 cup chopped black olives
3 cups cooked pasta, your favorite bite sized variety,cooled

Steps:

  • Place basil, garlic, salad dressing and cheese in blender.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Make adjustments to spices as necessary.
  • Toss with olives and pasta.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to mix.
  • Overnight is good.
  • Serve with a sprinkle of cheese on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 202.1, Fat 10.7, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 3.7, Sodium 404.6, Carbohydrate 23.7, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 2.5, Protein 4.1

SUPER EASY PASTA SALAD



Super Easy Pasta Salad image

This is a delicious, summery pasta salad that's incredibly easy to make! I often get requests for it at family gatherings. I usually use fat-free Italian dressing and light mayonnaise and it still tastes fantastic. Feel free to throw in some peppers and other veggies too!

Provided by Kree6528

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 13m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 lb uncooked pasta, of your choice
1 stalk celery, diced
1 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2-3/4 cup Italian salad dressing (to taste)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
  • Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.
  • Drain and pour pasta into a large dish.
  • Stir in the celery and tomatoes.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the salad dressing and mayonnaise, then pour this mixture over the salad and toss again, to coat.
  • Cover and chill until ready to serve.
  • Enjoy!

Tips:

  • Use fresh basil for the best flavor. If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • Toast the pine nuts in a pan over medium heat until they are golden brown. This will bring out their flavor and make them more fragrant.
  • Use a good quality olive oil. The olive oil is the base of the pesto, so it's important to use a good quality oil that has a good flavor.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. The pasta should be cooked al dente, which means it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it.
  • Add the pesto to the pasta while it is still warm. This will help the pesto to evenly coat the pasta.
  • Garnish the pasta salad with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.

Conclusion:

Pesto pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like your pesto pasta salad with chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a light and easy meal, give pesto pasta salad a try.

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