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    Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

    Cooking, Easy Recipes, Side Dishes, Soups & Salads Jump to Recipe

    homemade pesto pasta salad with tomatoes, peas and fresh basil

    This pesto pasta salad is the perfect spring or summertime side dish. It’s great for picnics and potlucks, and it’s so easy to make with homemade or store-bought pesto.

    When I was applying for the newspaper job that brought me to Greensboro, some reporters took me to lunch to give me the scoop on what it would be like to work here. At the restaurant, my lunch companions told me I had to try the pesto pasta salad.

    pesto pasta salad with tomatoes and peas in a green ramekin

    A garlickly dish filled with green bits to get caught in my teeth and juicy red tomatoes to stain my interview clothes?

    Sure, why not? What could go wrong?

     pesto pasta salad with tomatoes and peas in green bowls

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    Though reporters can be prickly types with odd senses of humor, it turns out my soon-to-be-colleagues weren’t subjecting me to some cruel hazing ritual.

    They just knew good food! And they knew I wouldn’t be able to say no to a job at the newspaper once I’d tasted Liberty Oak’s pesto pasta salad.

    Yep, it’s that good!

    Garden Fresh pesto pasta salad in green bowls

    After years of study and taste testing, I’ve come up with a make-at-home version as tasty as the original.

    blue colander filled with grape tomatoes

    Made with grape tomatoes…

    fresh basil in a glass jar

    … basil pesto, English peas, red onion and parmesan cheese, this pesto pasta salad is the perfect spring or summertime side dish. It’s also great for potlucks and picnics or sharing with your neighbors. It’s a nice side to serve with baby back ribs or a grilled sandwich. I even like to have it as a meal on its own. Pesto pasta salad is a delicious lunch.

    If you have a favorite pesto recipe, then by all means, use it as the base of this pasta salad. (Just be sure to add lots of garlic!)

    But if time is tight, or your basil crop hasn’t come in, then it’s perfectly fine to use prepared pesto. That’s what I normally do because I’m always looking for a shortcut in the kitchen.

    pesto pasta salad in a green ramekin

    pesto pasta salad in green bowls

    Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

    This pesto pasta salad is the perfect spring or summertime side dish. It's great for picnics and potlucks, and it's so easy to make.
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    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 424 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb spiral pasta
    • 10 ounces prepared basil pesto
    • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes halved
    • 1 cup red onion chopped
    • 2 cups English peas
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • Fresh basil
    • 1 Tablespoon Olive oil optional

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare pasta according to package directions, cooking until al dente.
    • Drain pasta and rinse in cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
    • Transfer pasta to a large bowl and combine with tomatoes, onions and peas.
    • Add prepared pesto and toss to coat.
    • Add grated parmesan cheese and stir to incorporate throughout the pasta salad.
    • If the pasta salad is too dry for your taste, add some olive oil.
    • Refrigerate and serve cold.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 424kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 13gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 388mgPotassium: 384mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1510IUVitamin C: 24.1mgCalcium: 123mgIron: 1.7mg
    Did You Make This?Mention @AttaGirlSays or tag #attagirlsays!

     

    Pin This! Easy Homemade Pesto Pasta Salad

    homemade pesto pasta salad with tomatoes, peas and fresh basil

    Looking for another refreshing salad?

    summer vegetable potato salad with corn, tomato and basil

    Here’s a fresh take on potato salad that is one of my favorites.

    Gourmet BLT Sandwich with Candied Pepper Bacon & Basil Garlic Aioli

    And if you love the combination of tomato and basil, you’ll love this gourmet BLT made with candied pepper bacon.

    Filed Under: Cooking, Easy Recipes, Side Dishes, Soups & Salads Tagged With: basil, potluck food, salads, summer salads

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tammy @ creativekkids

      May 25, 2015 at 10:26 am

      Yay for summer salads! Thank you for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I am finally getting around to pinning your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.

      Reply
    2. Zan

      May 25, 2015 at 2:12 am

      This looks yum..I have only had pesto with penne pasta but not in a salad like this. Thanks for sharing with us at the Home Matters Linky party. We love having you and hope you join us again!

      Reply
    3. Elizabeth

      May 23, 2015 at 12:05 am

      Thank you for sharing! This does look delicious and perfect for summer. Hope to see you at Snickerdoodle again tomorrow!

      Reply
    4. Lisa @ Fun Money Mom

      May 20, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      That DOES look good! It would be perfect for a get together or a picnic…I’ll definitely have to try it! Thanks so much for linking up with #ShareTheWealthSunday!

      xoxo
      Lisa

      Reply
    5. Carlee @cookingwithcarlee

      May 17, 2015 at 9:13 am

      This looks delicious! I’m glad it wasn’t a cruel hazing ritual!

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        May 21, 2015 at 11:54 am

        Me too! One thing reporters don’t mess around about is food! Have a great week.

        Reply
        • June

          July 02, 2019 at 3:55 pm

          I’m making this pesto pasta salad tonight. It looks so good!

          Reply
          • Atta Girl Amy

            July 04, 2019 at 10:52 am

            Hope you enjoyed the recipe.

            Reply

    Trackbacks

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    3. Tori's Favorite Picks + Do Tell Tuesday - Tori Grant Designs says:
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