Delicious Pesto Pasta Salad: I have a pasta salad recipe for you. It’s prime time for fall picnics, and this light and fresh pesto pasta salad is just the ticket.
This pesto pasta salad recipe is bursting with fresh flavor. It’s light, healthy and easy to make. Perfect for picnics and potlucks! Recipe yields 6 to 8 side servings.
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Whole Grain Pasta (fusilli, rotini, penne or farfalle)
- 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes Halved or Quarted
- 3 Handful Baby Arugula Or Spinach
- 1/2 Cup Olives - Thinly Sliced Optional
- 15 Ounces Chickpeas - Rinsed and Drained Optional
- Crumbled Feta Cheese, Little Mozarella Balls, diced mozarella or grated Parmesan Optional
- Grated Black Pepper Freshly
Pesto
- 1/2 Cup Pepitas (Hulled Pumpkin Seeds)
- 1/2 Cup Packed Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1/2 Cup Packed Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley Leaves
- 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice (About 2 Lemons)
- 1 Clove garlic Roughly Chopped
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 1/3 Cup EKiN Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Servings: Servings
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain and immediately rinse the pasta under cool water to prevent the noodles from sticking to one another. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl.
- Meanwhile, to prepare the pesto: In a small skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat, stirring often, until they are fragrant and making little popping noises, about 5 minutes. Pour half of the pepitas into a bowl for later (we will use them as garnish).
- Pour the remaining pepitas into a food processor. Add the basil, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and salt. Process while slowly drizzling in the olive oil, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary, until the pepitas have broken down to create a pretty smooth sauce.
- To assemble the pasta salad, pour all of the pesto over the pasta and toss until the pasta is lightly and evenly coated, adding a tiny splash of reserved pasta cooking water if necessary to thin it out. Then add the cherry tomatoes, arugula, remaining toasted pepitas, and any optional add-ins (olives, chickpeas and/or cheese).
- Toss again to combine, then season to taste with pepper. If the pasta needs a little more flavor, add salt or lemon juice to taste, or if the flavors are too bold, let it rest for a few minutes, and add a little splash of olive oil if necessary to tone down the rest.
Recipe Notes
MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
MAKE IT DAIRY FREE/VEGAN: Just don't add any cheese!
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