Description
Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a quick lunch, a potluck, or a family gathering. This refreshing salad combines perfectly cooked pasta with homemade basil pesto, fresh cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese, making it a light yet satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. With its burst of flavors and customizable ingredients, this salad is not only tasty but also versatile enough to fit into any meal plan. Serve it as a main dish, side dish, or even pack it for meal prep—this Pesto Pasta Salad will be a hit wherever you take it.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (cavatelli or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella (bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini
- 3 cups basil leaves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a food processor, blend basil leaves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth to make the pesto.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta with the pesto. Add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, and pepperoncini. Toss well to combine and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg