ITALIAN PESTO PASTA SALAD

Italian Pesto Pasta Salad image

This yummy pesto pasta salad is perfect to make when you have fresh basil and tomatoes in the garden.

Provided by Jennifer

Categories Salad Pasta Salad Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h50m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package corkscrew-shaped pasta (fusilli)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chopped fresh basil
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, crushed
½ cup toasted pine nuts
½ lemon, juiced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup olive oil
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups grape tomatoes, quartered
1 (8 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, cubed
4 stalks celery, diced
½ sweet onion, diced

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, rinse in cold water, and return to the pot. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Combine basil, parsley, and garlic in a food processor; pulse until combined. Add toasted pine nuts and lemon juice and pulse until well combined. Add Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup olive oil while processor is running; blend well. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
Place pasta into a large mixing bowl and stir in pesto. Add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to thin slightly and continue to mix until pasta is thoroughly coated; add more pasta water as needed. Mix tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, celery, and onion into the salad until well combined.
Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to blend together, or eat right away.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.7 calories, Carbohydrate 37.9 g, Cholesterol 17.9 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 15.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 235.2 mg, Sugar 2.6 g