Description
Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant dish that brings together the fresh flavors of basil, cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella in a delightful, easy-to-make recipe. Perfect for a quick lunch or as a crowd-pleasing side for potlucks and barbecues, this salad comes together in just 30 minutes. The homemade basil pesto adds a burst of flavor while keeping the dish light and healthy. With its colorful presentation and rich taste, this salad is sure to impress at any gathering or simply serve as a satisfying meal throughout the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (cavatelli or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella (bite-sized pieces)
- 3 cups basil leaves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- Juice of 1 tablespoon lemon
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a food processor, blend basil leaves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper until smooth to create the pesto.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pieces. Toss gently to mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg