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Fresh Pesto Pasta Salad

July 7, 2016 by Katie Mae Stanley 22 Comments

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, as well as through other affiliate links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, as well as through other affiliate links.

Fresh Pesto Pasta Salad NS

Pasta covered with fresh pesto, and mixed with summer veggies make this dish a must have at your next BBQ this summer.

Until a couple years ago, I was not a pasta salad fan. I stayed as far from it as I could. Gloppy mayo and bottled dressings never enticed me to try more than a bite.

One day when I was looking through For the Family’s recipes I found my friend Tiffany’s (AKA Don’t Waste the Crumbs) delightful garlic butter pasta salad. Just the title grabbed my attention, what is not to love? Garlic, butter, and pasta are always a win in my book.

Guess what? I realized that I was putting pasta salad in a box and treating it with an aversion that it didn’t deserve. Will I be lining up at the next pot-luck to eat a “traditional” pasta salad? No, I still won’t but it opened my eyes to the tasty options that were possible.

Fast forward to last month. My little sister’s wedding reception had just ended. We all piled in our cars to have an “after party” at my parent’s house because that is the only sane thing to do right? My uncle, got the grill going and my cousin Stacy (check out her TravelTote) made two AMAZING salads.

One of the aforementioned salads was a pesto pasta salad. It.was.so.good! I knew that I had to recreate it. My version ended up being different than her’s since I left out the mozzarella and pine nuts because well pine nuts aren’t budget food and I’m not a cheese fan.

This version suits my fancy quite well, it is full of summer vegetables, garlic, basil, good fat, and salt. What’s not to love? To make this a meal in a bowl add chopped chicken or salami.

Random fact, did you know that in Baja California, tamales are served with pasta salad? 🙂

Fresh Pasta Pesto Salad

8oz corkscrew pasta
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 large red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup basil, cut*
1/2 cup fresh pesto
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1lb cooked chicken or salami (optional)

Cook pasta until done. Drain and set aside.

While the pasta is boiling, cut the tomatoes, pepper, onion, and basil*.

*Roll a few basil leaves up together like a cigar. Thinly slice and proceed with the remaining leaves.

Mix the salt and red pepper flakes into the pesto. Coat the pasta with the pesto mixture.

Toss the pesto pasta with the chopped vegetables and basil.

Chill until you are ready to serve.

Fresh Pesto Pasta Salad -www.nourishingsimplicity.org

16 votes

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Pesto Pasta Salad

Author Katie Mae Stanley@ Nourishing Simplicity

Ingredients

  • 8oz corkscrew pasta
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup basil, cut*
  • 1/2 cup fresh pesto
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta until done. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta is boiling, cut the tomatoes, pepper, onion, and basil*.
  3. *Roll a few basil leaves up together like a cigar. Thinly slice and proceed with the remaining leaves.
  4. Mix the salt and red pepper flakes into the pesto. Coat the pasta with the pesto mixture.
  5. Toss the pesto pasta with the chopped vegetables and basil.
  6. Chill until you are ready to serve.

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Filed Under: Recipes, Sides and Salads, Uncategorized

About Katie Mae Stanley

Katie Mae Stanley is the creator of Nourishing Simplicity. She believes that a made from scratch life is possible with a measure of grace. She teaches you to craft simple, nourishing recipes and natural DIY products at home.

Previous Post: « Herbal Bath Soak for Cramps
Next Post: Thai Chicken Fried Rice »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christina Shoemaker

    May 6, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    This is so fresh and bright! A perfect side when grilling out this spring or summer!!

    Reply
    • Katie Mae Stanley

      June 24, 2018 at 8:45 pm

      Thank you! That’s normally when I like to serve it. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica

    May 5, 2018 at 7:28 am

    What’s not to love about PASTA SALAD with the yummy basil-y goodness of pesto sauce?
    I make a similar one — always a hit — at summer picnics and SO easy to make and transport!
    Thanks for sharing your version! SO beautiful Katie Mae!

    Reply
  3. Yvonne

    May 4, 2018 at 8:47 am

    So simple and easy, yet perfect for those summer BBQs. Pesto is always a crowd pleaser.

    Reply
  4. ChihYu

    May 3, 2018 at 7:36 pm

    Love a good bowl of fresh pesto pasta salad. So simple and delicious. Love it !

    Reply
  5. Megan Stevens

    May 3, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    Oh yes please. This is just classic. It totally reminds me of growing up food, so fresh, yet hearty and satisfying. I love your version, too, with the red pepper flakes!

    Reply
    • Katie Mae Stanley

      June 24, 2018 at 8:45 pm

      Thank you! <3

      Reply
  6. Tatiana

    May 3, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    Fresh pasta salad full of flavorful ingredients is all we need for dinner tonight!

    Reply
  7. Vanessa

    May 3, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    You can’t go wrong with a good pesto. This looks so good. Can’t wait to try your recipe.

    Reply
  8. Yang

    May 3, 2018 at 11:50 am

    Pasta salads are so great summer, as well as school lunch for the kiddos. I can see this cooked a lot by many people in the warmer months!

    Reply
  9. Tessa Simpson

    May 1, 2018 at 9:56 am

    I love the cold pest noodle variation! My girls love pesto (which has always surprised me!), so this would be perfect for them!

    Reply
  10. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings

    May 1, 2018 at 9:49 am

    Easiest pasta salad ever! This looks perfect for neighborhood potlucks and Memorial Day weekend. The perfect summer salad!

    Reply
  11. Joni Gomes

    May 1, 2018 at 9:16 am

    This is simplicity at it’s finest! Fresh and so flavorful 🙂

    Reply
  12. Carrie

    May 1, 2018 at 7:25 am

    I absolutely love pesto pasta, never added bell peppers and tomatoes before…can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  13. Lindsey Dietz

    May 1, 2018 at 7:01 am

    Your bowls are SO cute! This is exactly the type of pasta salad I love. I really dislike the ones with weird dressings or mayo. Pesto, pasta, veggies… as it should be!

    Reply
  14. linda spiker

    May 1, 2018 at 6:27 am

    Pesto is my all time favorite condiment! Yum!

    Reply
    • Katie Mae Stanley

      June 24, 2018 at 8:46 pm

      Mine too!

      Reply
  15. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish

    April 30, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    I LOVE pesto!!! This pasta salad sounds perfect – especially with all that fresh basil that will be packed at all of the local farmers markets soon. Love those bowls too!

    Reply
  16. Raia Todd

    April 30, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    Would you believe I’ve never tried to make a pasta salad? Probably because there’s no chocolate in them…. Maybe I should come up with that…. hahaha!

    Reply
  17. Jean

    April 30, 2018 at 7:09 pm

    This looks so delicious and flavorful. The perfect make ahead meal for a a busy week coming up.

    Reply
  18. Natalia Gill

    July 13, 2016 at 9:48 am

    This looks so so delish!! What a perfect thing to bring to a potluck.

    Reply
    • Katie Mae Stanley

      July 14, 2016 at 11:20 am

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply

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