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–+ servings
Pesto pasta salad

Pesto pasta salad

This pesto pasta salad is a flavorful and creamy dish perfect for any occasion, featuring homemade pesto and fresh ingredients.
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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

  • stick blender

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 cheese 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 (40g)
  • ½ teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
  • Small basil leaves optional garnish

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • 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.
  • Place all pesto ingredients in a tall jug just large enough to fit the head of a stick blender. Blitz until pretty smooth. Not a green smoothie, we still want some visible green bits.
  • 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.
  • Transfer into a serving bowl. Scatter with basil leaves, if using. Serve!

Notes

Serves 4 to 5 as a meal, or 8 to 10 as a side. Leftovers will keep well for 2 days, though it loses the vibrant green color. Bring to room temperature before eating 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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