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Pesto Pasta Salad

ByBrandie @ The Country Cook May 25, 2023May 22, 2023

This Pesto Pasta Salad is incredibly delicious and is overflowing with flavor. Made quickly and with just a few ingredients, it’s perfect for any occasion!

THE EASIEST PASTA SALAD YOU’VE EVER MADE

This Pesto Pasta Salad is the perfect summer side dish! It’s quick and easy to make with just a few ingredients and each bite bursts with fresh flavor. The combination of pesto, tomatoes, cheese, and bow-tie pasta makes for a delicious, unique salad that everyone will love. Plus, it can be served either warm or cold so you can enjoy it year round. This pasta tastes like summer in a salad!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do I have to use jarred pesto?

Of course not! I have a great recipe for a Homemade Pesto if you’d like to try it out. It really is very simple to make!

Why do I need to rinse the pasta?

Rinsing the pasta cools it and stops the cooking process. You want to cook the pasta so it’s al dente. If you don’t rinse it, it will cook a little longer as you proceed with the recipe and it will soak up a lot more of the dressing if it is warm.

Can I add meat?

You bet. Adding protein like shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken, cooked shrimp, or other protein will help round out this pasta salad. You could easily serve it as a main dish that way.

Can I use different pasta?

Of course! Instead try using rotini, cavatappi, or penne.

What other swaps can I make?

You can swap out various ingredients. Trade the red onion for sliced green onions. Don’t want spinach? Try arugula. And, in place of the cheese, you can add mozzarella pearls. Finally, you could switch out the cheese for feta, and add cucumbers, and kalamata olives to bring a Greek vibe to the salad.

What additions can I add?

This version is my favorite version of this pasta salad. But here are a few ideas you can add in to change the flavor profile:
– Artichoke hearts
– Chopped bell pepper
– Crushed red pepper flakes
– Black or green olives
– Pepperoncini peppers
– Roasted red peppers
– Sun-dried tomatoes

Can I make this ahead of time?

Sure, this is a great dish to make for parties and even better that you can prep it ahead of time. You may however choose to add the spinach right before serving. That is up to you on whether you want it to have a tiny bit of crunch or a little wilted.

How to store leftovers?

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days for the best flavor. You can keep it an additional 2 days but the flavor may lose quality and the pasta may start to break down. I don’t suggest attempting to freeze this.

A large serving bowl of Pesto Pasta Salad.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

pine nuts – these are optional but add a nice crunch to the salad – you could substitute with almonds are just leave them out altogether.
bow tie pasta (farfalle) – this is a fun pasta to use with this recipe but as I state above in the FAQ, you can use any similar size pasta shape.
pesto sauce – Barilla and Classico make a good store-bought pesto sauce or you can easily make it homemade.
lemon juice – this brightens up the flavors but also helps to keep that pesto looking bright green.
fresh spinach – you can use regular spinach or baby spinach.
cherry or grape tomatoes – if you want a softer skin and a slightly sweeter tomato then go with cherry tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are firmer and work well if you plan to keep this around for a few days to eat.
red onion – did you know you can soak red onion in an ice water bath to reduce the strong taste? You can also substitute with a shallot which brings a mild garlicky flavor to the party.
grated or shaved parmesan cheese – you can freshly grate it your self or use store-bought – whatever you prefer.

Pine nuts, bow tie pasts, pesto sauce, lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, fresh spinach, cherry or grape tomatoes, red onion, and grated or shaved parmesan cheese.

HOW TO MAKE PESTO PASTA SALAD

If choosing to toast the pine nuts, here is what you’ll need to do (optional step): Over medium heat, heat a skillet and add the pine nuts. Toast them for about 6-7 minutes while stirring frequently to not let them burn. Once toasted, fragrant, and lightly brown, remove the pine nuts from the skillet and set aside.

Add water to a large pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add 2 Tablespoons of kosher salt with your pasta. Follow the directions on the pasta package to cook pasta to al dente. Once it’s cooked, drain and rinse under cool water. Add cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl as well as the pesto and lemon juice. Toss them together until the pasta is evenly coated.

Pesto and lemon juice sitting in a bowl of cooled farfalle pasta.

Now add salt, pepper, spinach, diced tomatoes and onions. Toss it all together until well mixed.

Pasta with pesto, lemon juice, spinach, diced tomatoes, and sliced onion.

Add grated parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts to the pasta salad. Enjoy!

Looking down on a colorful bowl of pesto pasta salad.

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