Pesto Pasta Salad (summer) Recipe
Make Pesto Pasta Salad (summer) Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Vegetables
Pesto Dressing
Method
Cooking Pasta
- 1
Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
Preparing Vegetables
- 2
Chop the Vegetables
While the pasta is cooking, wash and chop the cherry tomatoes in half. Peel and dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Dice the bell pepper and finely chop the red onion. Set aside.
- 3
Prepare Basil
Wash the fresh basil leaves and set aside to dry.
Making Pesto Dressing
- 4
Blend the Pesto
In a food processor, combine the fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic cloves, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until finely chopped.
- 5
Add Olive Oil
With the food processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Combining Salad
- 6
Mix Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, and pesto dressing. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- 7
Serve
Transfer the pesto pasta salad to a serving dish or individual bowls. Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired and serve chilled or at room temperature.