5 from 9 votes
Pesto Pasta Salad
This pasta salad uses a homemade pesto to bring all of that fresh basil-y goodness. You will love these bursting flavors in every bite.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
446 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 2 cups basil loosely packed, fresh leaves
- 3 whole garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 pint tomatoes halved, cherry or grape
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese fresh, pearls
- 1/2 cup black olive sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound rotini pasta according to the package instructions. After it's cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water. Once cooled, transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- For the pesto, combine 2 cups fresh basil leaves, 3 whole garlic cloves, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, and 1/4 cup pine nuts in a food processor or blender. Process until the mixture becomes fairly smooth.
- Pour the pesto over the cooled pasta and toss it until well coated.
- Add 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (halved), 1 medium green bell pepper (diced), 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese pearls, 1/2 cup sliced black olives, and 1/4 cup diced red onion to the pasta. Toss until all ingredients are well combined.
- Refrigerate the salad until it's time to serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Pine nuts can be replaced with walnuts or sunflower seeds.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1.5cups
Calories
446kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
48g
(16%)
Protein
16g
(32%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Cholesterol
16mg
(5%)
Sodium
272mg
(11%)
Potassium
351mg
(7%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
749IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
27mg
(30%)
Calcium
195mg
(20%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 446
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1.5cups | |
| Calories | 446kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 272mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 351mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 749IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 27mg | 30% |
| Calcium | 195mg | 20% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.