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Pesto Pasta Salad

Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad that Elevates Your Summer Sides

A delightful Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad that combines fresh ingredients and versatile flavors, perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta Feel free to use any pasta you love.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup creamy Caesar salad dressing A high-quality dressing makes a big difference.
  • 0.5 cup basil pesto Homemade can elevate the dish even further.
  • to taste tsp salt Essential for enhancing flavors.
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder Adjust to suit your taste buds.
For the Salad Mix
  • 1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes Removing seeds can help keep things drier.
  • 0.5 cup black olives (sliced or chopped) Swap with your choice of olives if desired.
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Either pre-shredded or freshly grated works well.
  • 0.33 cup toasted pine nuts Toasting enhances their flavor.
  • 0.5 cup green onions (sliced) Adds a pleasant crunch.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Medium bowl
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add tri-color rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool running water to stop cooking.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together creamy Caesar salad dressing, basil pesto, a pinch of salt, and garlic powder until smooth.
  3. Combine the drained pasta with the dressing in a large mixing bowl. Stir until every piece of pasta is coated.
  4. Fold in chopped Roma tomatoes, sliced black olives, shredded Parmesan cheese, and toasted pine nuts into the pasta mixture.
  5. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to let flavors meld. Stir in more Caesar dressing if it appears dry after chilling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Use high-quality ingredients for maximum flavor. Rinse pasta with cold water to prevent mushiness. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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