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–+ servings
Pesto pasta salad

Pesto pasta salad

A delicious pesto pasta salad that blends the flavors of basil, garlic, and parmesan with fresh ingredients, perfect for any meal or side dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5 servings
Calories 663 kcal

Equipment

  • stick blender
  • Colander
  • Large Bowl
  • Tall jug

Ingredients
  

CupsMetric

  • 350 g spiral pasta (fusilli, or other of choice, 3 ½ cups)
  • 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 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, but 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. Homemade pesto is superior but store-bought can be used. Mayonnaise adds moisture without making it creamy.

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 Easy, fresh, Pasta, Pesto, Salad, summer
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