When the weather is warm and you don’t want to turn on the stove, a refreshing and flavorful pasta salad is the perfect solution. This pasta salad with pesto is not only delicious but also easy to make. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, hearty pasta, and a creamy pesto dressing that will make you want to lick your plate clean.
The best part about this pasta salad is that it’s so versatile. You can add or remove any ingredients to suit your taste. For example, if you don’t have any cherry tomatoes, you can use grape tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes. If you don’t like black olives, you can omit them or substitute them with another type of olive. And if you don’t have any fresh basil, you can use dried basil instead.
No matter what variations you make, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit. It’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or even just a light lunch at home. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and let’s get started!
Ingredients
For the pasta salad:
- 1 pound of your favorite pasta shape
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
For the pesto dressing:
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- Salt and pepper to taste
How To Make Pasta Salad With Pesto
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, feta cheese, and basil.
3. To make the pesto dressing, combine the basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, pine nuts, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth.
4. Pour the pesto dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat.
5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
Tips or Possible Variation
Here are some tips and possible variations for this recipe:
- You can use any type of pasta for this salad. Some good options include penne, rotini, or bow-tie pasta.
- If you don’t have any fresh basil, you can use 1 tablespoon of dried basil instead.
- You can add other vegetables to this salad, such as zucchini, carrots, or corn.
- You can also add cooked chicken or shrimp to the salad for extra protein.
- If you want a creamier dressing, you can add a little bit of mayonnaise or sour cream to the pesto.
No matter how you make it, this pasta salad with pesto is sure to be a delicious and refreshing meal.