Description
Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Pesto is a burst of sunshine on your plate. Refreshing and combined with a fragrant homemade basil pesto.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the salad
- 1 serving homemade basil pesto
- 2 cups fusillotti (or any: penne, fusilli, or rotini)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup cup cucumber (diced)
- 1/2 cup bell pepper (diced)
- 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
- 1/3 cup bocconcini or fresh mozzarella balls
- 3 tbsps fresh herbs (chopped (parsley, basil, chives, green onion))
- olive oil (extra virgin)
- salt and pepper
Optional Ingredients
- black olives (pitted)
- feta cheese (crumbled)
- parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until a minute or two over al dente (pasta type dependent, more on notes below)
- Make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, nuts, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the ingredients are well combined. See recipe.
- Combine the salad: In a large bowl, mix the cooked and cooled pasta with the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, bell pepper, red onion and herbs. Toss the salad ingredients together.
- Add the pesto: Pour the homemade pesto over the salad and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly. You can adjust the amount of pesto to your taste.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs over the top of the salad for an extra burst of flavor and color.
- Serve: Serve the salad as a side dish for a Mediterranean-inspired meal or as a light, refreshing main course. It's great for picnics or as a healthy summer dish.
Notes
Pesto: The basil pesto is the ingredient and a poor quality store-bought will result in a poor quality salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Mediterranean Salad, Salad, Side Dish
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean