Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that combines the best of fresh ingredients with bold flavors, making it perfect for summer picnics, light lunches, or as a delightful side at barbecues. This customizable recipe allows you to tailor it to your taste preferences while being easy to prepare and quick to assemble. With its combination of colorful vegetables and aromatic basil pesto, each bite is bursting with flavor. Ideal for meal prep, this salad can be enjoyed throughout the week, ensuring you have a light yet satisfying option on hand.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cooking required after initial pasta cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (cooked al dente)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
- 1/2 cup sliced olives
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas or white beans (rinsed and drained)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 7 oz basil pesto
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red apple vinegar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach, onion, mozzarella, olives, and beans. Toss gently.
- In a small bowl, whisk together pesto, olive oil, and vinegar until blended.
- Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until coated evenly.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve cold and top with optional grated parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Find it online: https://madebykiara.com/pesto-pasta-salad-recipe/