How to Make Fabulous Pesto Pasta Salad - A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to the fabulous world of pesto pasta salad! This delicious dish is the perfect combination of fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a refreshing side dish to accompany your main course or a satisfying meal on its own, this pesto pasta salad is sure to please your taste buds and leave you coming back for more.

The star of this dish is undoubtedly the homemade pesto sauce, which is bursting with the flavors of fr...

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 ½ cups chopped fresh basil
  • ½ cup chopped fresh oregano
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
  • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 (4 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
  • 6 green onions, chopped
  • 1 (4 ounce) can minced black olives
  • 1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, mustard, garlic, basil, oregano, cilantro, hot pepper sauce, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Add the tomatoes, green onions and olives to the bowl, and stir to coat. Refrigerate.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and rinse with cold water to cool. Add pasta to the bowl of dressing, and mix well. Top with mozzarella cheese and pine nuts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Nutrition

    506 cal.

    • Total Fat: 27g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 20mg
    • Sodium: 731mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 51g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 6g
    • Protein: 19g
    • Vitamin C: 12mg
    • Calcium: 324mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 363mg