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Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad

Delicious Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad for Summer Gatherings

This Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is a delightful summer dish bursting with flavor, perfect for gatherings and easy to prepare.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • 1 cup Pesto Sauce Substitute with arugula or walnut pesto if desired.
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise Can replace with Greek yogurt.
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Substitute with more mayonnaise or yogurt.
  • 1 small Shallot Can use green onions or red onions.
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed.
  • 1 cup Pasta Water Reserved for adjusting consistency.
Pasta Salad
  • 8 ounces Cavatappi Pasta Can use short pasta like penne or rotini.
  • 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes Halved.
  • 6 slices Bacon Crispy.
  • 2 cups Arugula Substitute with spinach or mixed greens.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated.
  • 8 ounces Ciliegini Mozzarella Can substitute with regular mozzarella or vegan cheese.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • serving bowl

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add cavatappi pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pesto sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped shallot, and lemon juice. Gradually add reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is reached. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. In a serving bowl, combine cooled pasta with dressing. Gently fold in bacon, cherry tomatoes, arugula, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Toss until well coated.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently before serving and garnish with additional Parmesan or herbs if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best flavor, use fresh vegetables and allow the salad to chill for at least an hour before serving.

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