Refreshing Pasta Salad Sabored with Traditional Pesto Sauce
Cool Down with a Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad
Feed your summer cravings with this tantalizing pasta salad, brimming with pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and a finishing touch of Parmesan. Savor it as a refreshing respite during the scorching heat, paired with our Lemon Twist Beverage recipe.
The Game Plan: Kick off by preparing our hassle-free Easy as Can Be Basil Pesto.
- Serves: 8
- Difficulty: A Breeze
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
Ingredients (7)
- 1 lb diminutive pasta shapes, like cavatelli, conchiglie, or penne
- 1 heaping cup freshly whipped up basil pesto
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, divided into halves (approximately 1 1/2 pints)
- 1 lb fresh mozzarella bocconcini, cut into bite-sized portions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Unraveling the Recipe
- Start by boiling a large pot of salted water over high heat. Add your pasta and let it cook until it's al dente, or as per the package guidelines. Don't forget to save 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water before draining again. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl.
- Combine the halved cherry tomatoes and generous amounts of the pesto with the pasta, giving it a good stir and mix. Drizzle some of the pasta water to thin and evenly coat the pasta. Add the cubed bocconcini and olive oil, then stir once more. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Ah, the Glorious Green Gold: Homemade Basil Pesto
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1-2 tablespoons of tangy lemon juice (add as per preference)
- 1 tiny garlic clove
- 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
- A sprinkle of black pepper
- 2 cups loosely packed basil leaves
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (replace with nutritional yeast for a vegan version)
Enjoy your Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad cold, an ideal option for picnics or casual lunches.
Add a dash of chopped olives or red onion to give it an extra zing.
Tips:
- For a vegan take, omit the Parmesan and use nutritional yeast.*
- Adjust the amount of olive oil or add some yogurt or plant-based creamer to alter the consistency - whether you'd like a lighter or creamier pesto.*
- Storing leftover pesto? Cover it with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent browning.*[1]
- Prepare the Easy as Can Be Basil Pesto, a key ingredient for the Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad, following the provided recipe.
- In the category of uncategorized recipes, find the Homemade Basil Pesto, which is a vital component of the Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad.
- The nutritional content of the Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad includes ingredients like fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Serve the Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad cold, making it an ideal choice for summertime picnics or casual lunches, and consider adding a dash of chopped olives or red onion for an extra kick.
