Pesto Pasta Salad
A generous coating of basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini and peppery rocket make this pasta salad bright and full of flavor. A little mayonnaise helps keep it juicy, even as leftovers.
By Cookin' KitchenUpdated
- Total: 30 minutes
- Servings: 5 servings
Recipe
Pesto Pasta Salad
A generous coating of basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini and peppery rocket make this pasta salad bright and full of flavor. A little mayonnaise helps keep it juicy, even as leftovers.
Cookin' · https://cookin.club/recipes/pesto-pasta-salad
- Prep
- 15 minutes
- Cook
- 15 minutes
- Total
- 30 minutes
- Servings
- 5
Ingredients
For 5 servings
Pasta
Homemade pesto
Pasta salad
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Tall jug
- Stick blender
- Large bowl
- Serving bowl
Instructions
Pesto pasta salad
Step 1: Bring 3 litres of water to a boil with the pasta-cooking salt. Cook the pasta for the time stated on the packet plus 1 minute. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water, and shake off excess water well. Let the pasta cool completely and dry.
Step 2: Put all the pesto ingredients in a tall jug just large enough to fit the head of a stick blender. Blitz until quite smooth, leaving some small visible green bits; the pesto should not be chunky or completely smooth.
Step 3: Put the pasta in a bowl and scrape in the pesto. Add the mayonnaise and toss well. Add the bocconcini and tomatoes, then toss gently just to distribute them. Add the rocket and toss briefly to distribute.
Step 4: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Scatter with basil leaves, if using, and serve.
Notes
For a store-bought pesto alternative, use just under 1 cup and choose refrigerated pesto if available. To skip the mayonnaise, use an extra 2 tablespoons of olive oil instead.
Keep leftovers in a very airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bring the salad to room temperature before eating for the best flavor and pasta texture.
The salad serves 4 to 5 as a meal or 8 to 10 as a side.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 663 kcal
- Fat
- 40 g
- Saturated fat
- 8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 57 g
- Sugar
- 3 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
- Protein
- 21 g
- Sodium
- 2,114 mg
- Cholesterol
- 27 mg
Estimated values; they will vary with the exact ingredients and brands you use.
About this recipe
This pesto pasta salad combines spiral pasta with basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, soft bocconcini and peppery rocket. Toss the pasta with pesto and mayonnaise first, then add the remaining ingredients.
Homemade pesto gives the salad its fresh basil flavor. If you use store-bought pesto, choose one from the fridge section.
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