Fresh and Flavorful Pesto Pasta Salad – A Quick and Delicious Dish!

This Pesto Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of vibrant flavors, making it ideal for a light lunch or a side dish at your next gathering. The basil pesto, with its fresh and aromatic ingredients, coats perfectly cooked pasta, creating a rich and savory base. Cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness, mozzarella brings creaminess, and the pepperoncini offers a delightful zing. With its versatility, this salad can easily be adapted to suit dietary needs, and it gets even better after a few hours in the fridge. Whether served as a standalone meal or alongside grilled veggies, this dish is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• For the pasta salad
  
  

  • 1 pound pasta (cavatelli or penne)
    
    

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
    
    

  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into small bite-sized pieces
    
    

  • ½ cup finely chopped red onion
    
    

  • ¼ cup chopped pepperoncini
    
    

  • ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
    
    

• For the basil pesto
  
  

  • 3 cups fresh basil leaves
    
    

  • ½ cup olive oil
    
    

  • ⅓ cup pine nuts
    
    

  • ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
    
    

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    
    

  • 2 cloves garlic
    
    

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    
    

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    
    

Directions

1. Cook the pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender. Check the package for the recommended cook time. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
   
   

2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper. Process until smooth and creamy. Scoop out of the food processor and set aside.
   
   

3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, pepperoncini, and parsley. Toss until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
   
   

4. For the best flavor, refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and intensify.
   
   

Nutritional Value

• Calories: 287 per serving
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 7g
  
  

• Protein: 10g
  
  

• Fat: 25g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 7g
  
  

• Cholesterol: 26mg
  
  

• Sodium: 834mg
  
  

• Potassium: 350mg
  
  

• Fiber: 2g
  
  

• Sugar: 4g
  
  

• Vitamin A: 1210 IU
  
  

• Vitamin C: 17mg
  
  

• Calcium: 221mg
  
  

• Iron: 2mg