Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
User Reviews
5
Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Description
This salad features bowtie pasta cooked until tender, then combined with fresh grape tomatoes, diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and sunflower seeds for added crunch and flavor complexity. The pesto is prepared by blending fresh basil, garlic cloves, sunflower seeds, kosher salt, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese until smooth, creating a vibrant green sauce that coats the pasta and mix-ins evenly. The inclusion of sunflower seeds both in the pesto and the salad adds a nutty taste and textural contrast.
The salad can be served warm shortly after mixing or chilled for later consumption, making it flexible for different serving preferences. It provides a balance of herbaceous, tangy, savory, and nutty flavors with varied textures from tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy feta, and crunchy seeds.
Because the recipe uses fresh ingredients and provides options for storage in an airtight container, it works well for meal prep or potlucks. Bringing it to room temperature before serving enhances the pesto flavor and overall taste experience.
Ingredients
- 1 bowtie pasta 16-ounce package
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 /2 red onion diced
- 1 feta cheese
- 1/4 /4 cup sunflower seeds
For the Pesto:
- 4 cups basil fresh
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 /4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 /4 cup olive oil
- 3/4 /4 cup Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Bring pasta to boil in large stockpot over medium heat. Cook according to package instructions. Remove from heat and pour through a strainer when cooked. Pour into a large mixing bowl. Add grape tomatoes, onion, feta cheese and sunflower seeds. Make pesto by adding all ingredients to a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour over pasta and stir until well-combined. Serve warm or store in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature to serve.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 377 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 377kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Cholesterol | 9mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 403mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 336mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1605IU | 32% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 198mg | 20% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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