Go Back
–+ servings
Pesto pasta salad

Pesto pasta salad

This pesto pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing dish, perfect for a quick meal or a side, featuring flavors of fresh basil and cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course cold pasta salad, Mains, pasta salad
Cuisine Western
Servings 5 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • stick blender

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 350 g spiral pasta fusilli, or other of choice
  • 1 tablespoon salt for cooking pasta

Pesto

  • 2 tablespoon pinenuts toasted (sub walnuts, cashews, almonds)
  • 2 cups basil leaves (tightly packed)
  • 1 small garlic clove minced
  • 0.5 cup parmesan finely grated
  • 0.5 teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 7 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or 50/50 grapeseed/olive oil)

Pasta Salad

  • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise (S&W, else Hellman’s)
  • 250 g cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 220 g baby bocconcini drained, cut in half
  • 1 cup baby rocket/arugula leaves (tightly packed, 40g)
  • 0.5 teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
  • small basil leaves optional garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta – Bring 3 litres of water to the boil with the salt. Cook for the pasta packet time + 1 minute. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water well, then allow to fully cool and dry.
  • Pesto – Place all ingredients in a tall jug just large enough to fit the head of a stick blender. Blitz until pretty smooth. Not a green smoothie; we still want some visible green bits but not chunks.
  • Toss – Place pasta in a bowl, scrape in the pesto. Add mayonnaise then toss well. Add bocconcini and tomato, toss gently just to disperse. Add rocket/arugula and toss just to disperse.
  • Serve – Transfer into a serving bowl. Scatter with basil leaves, if using. Serve!

Notes

Homemade pesto is recommended for this recipe, but store-bought can be used if needed. The addition of mayonnaise enhances juiciness without making it creamy. Enjoy leftovers within 2 days for best texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg
Keyword easy, healthy, Pasta, pesto, Pesto pasta salad, salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!