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Perfect Pesto Pasta Salad
Yes, this really is the PERFECT pesto pasta salad to make anytime of the year. The colors are beautiful and the flavors please the palate.
Course
Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Prep Time
1
hour
hour
5
minutes
minutes
Cook Time
10
minutes
minutes
Total Time
1
hour
hour
15
minutes
minutes
Servings
4
people
Ingredients
Basil Pesto Ingredients
2
cups
basil leaves
fresh
1/2
cup
Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano Cheese
grated
1/2
cup
olive oil
extra virgin
1/3
cup
pine nuts or walnuts
3
garlic cloves
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Pesto Pasta Salad
1
cup
peas
frozen or fresh
4
cups
rotini
uncooked
1
cup
basil pesto
fresh
1/4
cup
pine nuts
2
tbsp
green olives or olive tapenade
finely chopped
12
oz
cherry tomatoes
1
tbsp
olive oil
fresh basil leaves
Instructions
Basil Pesto Directions
Combine the pine nuts and basil in a food processor with a few pulses.
Add the garlic and pulse a bit more.
Slowly add olive oil in a slow stream while pulsing in the food processor.
Make sure you scrape the walls of the food processor to get all ingredients properly mixed in.
Add the cheese and pulse until nicely blended.
Basil Pesto Pasta Salad Directions
Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Make sure its not too soft.
Strain pasta and then run cold water through it for a bit until it is cooled down.
Put the pasta in a big bowl. Mix in the fresh basil pesto, green olives, and pine nuts.
Add the cherry tomatoes, chopped fresh basil leaves, peas, and olive oil.
Add salt and pepper to taste and place in the fridge to chill for one hour.