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Fresh Chilled Pasta Salad with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy chilled pasta salad featuring fresh basil pesto, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a light dressing, perfect for refreshing summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) short pasta like fusilli, penne, or rotini
  • 2 cups (about 300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup (120 ml) fresh basil pesto
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Taste a piece a minute before the suggested time to avoid overcooking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup (120 ml) fresh basil pesto, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Stir well to blend flavors.
  4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until every piece is coated with pesto. If the pesto feels too thick, add a splash of olive oil or a teaspoon of pasta water to loosen it up.
  5. Fold in 2 cups (about 300 g) halved cherry tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts or walnuts (if using).
  6. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Stir in or sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup/25 g) before serving if desired.
  7. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and chill thoroughly before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente is key to avoid mushy salad. Rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Use fresh pesto for best flavor. Toast nuts lightly to enhance crunch and flavor. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Add a splash of olive oil before serving leftovers to refresh texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, pesto, cherry tomatoes, summer recipe, chilled pasta, easy pasta salad, fresh basil, quick dinner

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/fresh-chilled-pasta-salad-with-pesto-and-cherry-tomatoes-easy-recipe-for-summer/