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–+ servings
Pesto pasta salad

Pesto pasta salad

This pesto pasta salad is a vibrant cold dish filled with flavors, perfect for gatherings or as a delightful meal on its own.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course cold pasta salad, Mains, pasta salad
Cuisine Western
Servings 5 servings
Calories 663 kcal

Equipment

  • colander
  • stick blender
  • large bowl
  • serving bowl

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 350 g spiral pasta (fusilli, or other of choice)
  • 1 tablespoon salt for cooking pasta

Pesto

  • 2 tablespoon pinenuts toasted (sub walnuts, cashews, almonds)
  • 2 cups basil leaves (tightly packed)
  • 1 small garlic clove minced
  • ½ cup parmesan finely grated
  • ½ teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 7 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or 50/50 grapeseed/olive oil)

Pasta Salad

  • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise (S&W, else Hellman's)
  • 250 g cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 220 g baby bocconcini drained, cut in half
  • 1 cup baby rocket/arugula leaves (tightly packed)
  • ½ teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
  • small basil leaves optional garnish

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Cook pasta - Bring 3 litres of water to the boil with the salt. Cook for the pasta packet time + 1 minute. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water well, then allow to fully cool and dry.
  • Pesto - Place all ingredients in a tall jug just large enough to fit the head of a stick blender. Blitz under pretty smooth. Not a green smoothie, we still want some visible green bits! but not chunks.
  • Toss - Place pasta in a bowl, scrape in the pesto. Add mayonnaise then toss well. Add bocconcini and tomato, toss gently just to disperse. Add rocket/arugula and toss just to disperse.
  • Serve - Transfer into a serving bowl. Scatter with basil leaves, if using. Serve!

Notes

Homemade pesto is recommended; store-bought should be from the fridge. Leftovers keep well for 2 days but lose vibrant color. Serve at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 663kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 21gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 2114mgPotassium: 356mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 938IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 293mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cold pasta salad, pesto pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad
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