PESTO PASTA SALAD
This pesto pasta salad recipe is bursting with fresh flavor. It's light, healthy and easy to make. Perfect for picnics and potlucks! Recipe yields 6 to 8 side servings.
Provided by Cookie and Kate
Categories Salad
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain and immediately rinse the pasta under cool water to prevent the noodles from sticking to one another. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl.
- Meanwhile, to prepare the pesto: In a small skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat, stirring often, until they are fragrant and making little popping noises, about 5 minutes. Pour half of the pepitas into a bowl for later (we will use them as garnish).
- Pour the remaining pepitas into a food processor. Add the basil, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and salt. Process while slowly drizzling in the olive oil, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary, until the pepitas have broken down to create a pretty smooth sauce.
- To assemble the pasta salad, pour all of the pesto over the pasta and toss until the pasta is lightly and evenly coated, adding a tiny splash of reserved pasta cooking water if necessary to thin it out. Then add the cherry tomatoes, arugula, remaining toasted pepitas, and any optional add-ins (olives, chickpeas and/or cheese).
- Toss again to combine, then season to taste with pepper. If the pasta needs more flavor, add salt, to taste, or a splash of lemon juice. If the flavors are too bold, let it rest for a few minutes, and add a little splash of olive oil if necessary to tone down the rest.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 457 calories, Sugar 3.3 g, Sodium 153.8 mg, Fat 30 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 45.2 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
ASPARAGUS PESTO PASTA
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 0
Steps:
- Cook 1 pound trimmed asparagus in salted boiling water until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to ice water to cool; drain and pat dry, then roughly chop. Puree the asparagus in a food processor with 1 cup fresh parsley, 1/2 cup fresh mint, 1/3 cup toasted unsalted pistachios, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Drizzle in 1/3 cup olive oil and puree until smooth. Toss with 1 pound cooked pasta and 3/4 cup parmesan, adding pasta cooking water as needed to loosen.
PESTO PASTA SALAD
Provided by Food Network
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients for pesto sauce in food processor, except olive oil and lime juice. Pulse to a rough paste, then pulse in olive oil and lime juice. Toss with cooked, cooled pasta and Parmesan. Fold in 3 chopped tomatoes, and scatter 4th tomato over top of pasta.
PESTO PENNE PRIMAVERA
This is a recipe you can serve hot or cold. A great side-dish or can be a full meal. My kids love this and it's always a hit. You could also add poached or grilled chicken. You can also freeze any leftover pesto for later use.
Provided by Mikey's Kitchen
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Summer Squash
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Combine the basil, garlic, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until well combined and has the texture of fresh pesto; set aside.
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta in boiling water until cooked yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil over the pasta and toss to coat; set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Roast the pine nuts in the skillet until lightly browned; remove to a plate and set aside. Add the asparagus, zucchini, Kalamata olives, roasted red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet; cook and stir until hot, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir the pine nuts into the vegetable mixture. Add the pasta and about 1/4 cup of the pesto, or more to your liking, to the skillet and toss to combine. Serve in bowls topped with the grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 367.5 calories, Carbohydrate 34.4 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 12.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 412.6 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
PESTO PASTA WITH SUN DRIED TOMATOES AND ROASTED ASPARAGUS
Make and share this Pesto Pasta With Sun Dried Tomatoes and Roasted Asparagus recipe from Food.com.
Provided by sofie-a-toast
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 25m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
- Place asparagus in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste; gently toss to combine. Place into oven and roast for 8-12 minutes, or until tender but crisp. Let cool before cutting into 1-inch pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, asparagus, pesto, sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 676, Fat 29.6, SaturatedFat 12, Cholesterol 59.8, Sodium 542.4, Carbohydrate 73.2, Fiber 10.7, Sugar 5, Protein 33.7
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love