Description
Quick Antipasto Pesto Pasta Salad is a flavorful and refreshing dish that combines perfectly cooked spiral pasta with homemade pesto and a variety of fresh ingredients, making it an ideal summer side or a light lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
14 oz spiral pasta
1 tbsp salt
2 tbsp pinenuts
2 cups basil leaves
1 garlic clove
3/4 cup parmesan
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
7 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp mayonnaise
10 oz cherry tomatoes
8 oz bocconcini
1 cup arugula leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the spiral pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto by toasting the pinenuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. In a food processor, combine the toasted pinenuts, basil leaves, crushed garlic, parmesan, salt, pepper, and olive oil, and pulse until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, pesto, mayonnaise, halved cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, arugula, salt, and red wine vinegar. Toss gently until well combined.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
For a heartier version, add cooked chicken or salami. This pasta salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (~1–1.5 cups)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Quick Antipasto Pesto Pasta Salad,Pesto Pasta,Easy Pasta Salad,Italian Pasta Salad