Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that’s perfect for spring and summer gatherings. This colorful salad combines tender spiral pasta with fresh ingredients like juicy tomatoes, sweet peas, and aromatic basil, all tossed in a rich basil pesto. It’s not only quick to prepare—taking just 22 minutes—but also customizable to suit your taste preferences. Serve it as a delightful side at barbecues or enjoy it as a light main course on warm days. With its delicious flavors and appealing presentation, this pasta salad is sure to impress at any gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: Serves about 6 portions 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb spiral pasta
- 10 ounces prepared basil pesto
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup red onion (chopped)
- 2 cups English peas
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spiral pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved tomatoes, chopped red onion, and English peas.
- Add the prepared basil pesto and gently toss until well coated.
- Sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
- If desired, drizzle with olive oil to adjust consistency.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Find it online: https://happycookingtime.com/easy-pesto-pasta-salad/