Description
A fresh and flavorful pesto pasta salad perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick meal. This dish combines tender pasta with vibrant pesto, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mini mozzarella balls
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
- In a food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, parmesan, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the pesto until evenly coated.
- Add cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Mix gently.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Substitute walnuts for pine nuts if preferred.
- Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 10mg