Description
Pesto pasta salad is the ultimate dish for any occasion, combining vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients in just 30 minutes. This delightful salad features perfectly cooked pasta tossed with a creamy homemade basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, and rich mozzarella. Whether you’re serving it as a main course or a side at your next potluck, this versatile recipe is sure to impress. With its colorful presentation and customizable options, you can easily adapt it to suit any palate. Enjoy the refreshing taste of summer in every bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (cavatelli or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella (bite-sized pieces)
- 3 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions 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, salt, and pepper until smooth to make the pesto.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with pesto and add cherry tomatoes and mozzarella; toss well to combine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 15mg