Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

  • 1 lb Farfalle pasta

  • 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and sliced

  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, sliced

  • One 8 oz ball of fresh mozzarella, diced

For the Pesto:

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, tightly packed

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

  • /4 cup parsley

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • 1/3 cup pignoli nuts

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese

  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Prepare the Pesto:

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender and whirl until a thick uniform paste is formed, add more olive oil if paste is too thick. This amount is enough for 1 lb pasta. Pesto may be stored in refrigerator for several weeks or in the freezer for several months.

  2. Place in a jar or container and coat with a thin layer of olive oil, cover tightly.

Prepare the Salad:

  1. Cook pasta in boiled salted water and drain.

  2. Toss with some oil from the sun dried tomatoes. (You can stop here and do this the day before or a few hours before and let cool.)

  3. Toss pasta with pesto, sun dried tomatoes, olives and mozzarella. Refrigerate and serve cold

This site contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.