Description
Celebrate the season with our delightful Holiday Pesto Pasta Salad, a colorful and refreshing side dish that features vibrant greens and herbs, perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces tricolor fusilli or any pasta of your choice
Pesto
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought pesto sauce
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, rinsed
Cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 2 tablespoons quality olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling salted water in a large pot. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes and cucumber, and rinse the spinach leaves to ensure freshness. This preparation adds a colorful and nutritious crunch.
- Toss Ingredients Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables, spinach, and pesto. Gently toss everything together until well coated.
- Add Cheese and Season: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Give it another gentle toss to evenly distribute the cheese and seasoning.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use Quality Pesto: The quality of the pesto is key; opt for fresh where possible for the best flavor.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed after mixing, as different pesto brands vary in salt levels.
- Chill Time: Allowing the salad to chill enhances the overall flavors and makes it more refreshing.
- Batch Preparation: This salad is perfect for making in advance for holidays, as it keeps well in the fridge.
- Serve Cold: This dish is best served cold, making it a perfect make-ahead option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 14mg