Pesto is paired perfectly with sweet tangy roasted tomatoes and salty bits of feta cheese in this herby Pesto Pasta Salad recipe from celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis . Put it all together with some zucchini and your favorite pasta shape for a fun meal guaranteed to get even […]
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Pesto is paired perfectly with sweet tangy roasted tomatoes and salty bits of feta cheese in this herby Pesto Pasta Salad recipe from celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis. Put it all together with some zucchini and your favorite pasta shape for a fun meal guaranteed to get even your pickiest eaters on board. The beauty of this dish is that it's not only delicious, but also easy to make.
One taste of Giada's Pesto Pasta Salad will quickly transport you to the Northern Region of Italy, where the flavorful sauce, known as pesto, originated.
What is Pesto?
Pesto is the classic Italian spread that combines the flavors of fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, freshly grated Parmigiano cheese and pine nuts into an irresistible condiment. Ingredients are ground into a paste-like consistency, which is typically enjoyed either slathered on bread as part of a crostini or as a topping for pizza or mixed with pasta.
Although pesto is super easy to make, you can make this recipe even easier by using a good-quality pre-made Italian pesto like the one sold on Giadzy.
Ingredients Needed
For the Tomatoes and Zucchini:
- cherry tomatoes
- zucchini, quartered
- fresh basil
- garlic
- olive oil
- salt
- Calabrian chili paste or red pepper flakes
For the Pesto:
- fresh basil
- fresh Italian parsley
- pine nuts
- garlic
- olive oil
- salt
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
For the Salad:
- feta cheese
- pasta
How to Make Pesto Pasta Salad
- On a rimmed baking sheet combine the tomatoes, zucchini, basil sprigs, garlic, olive oil, salt and chili paste. Toss well to coat evenly. Roast the vegetables about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Set aside to cool. Remove and discard the basil sprigs and whole garlic.
- For the pesto, in the bowl of a food processor combine the basil, parsley, pine nuts and garlic. Puree until roughly chopped. With the motor running drizzle in the olive and salt. Pour the pesto into a bowl and stir in the Parmigiano cheese.
- To the pesto add the cooked and cooled pasta and the cooled vegetables. Stir to evenly coat the pasta in the pesto. Add 1/4 cup of pasta water to thin the dressing if needed. Stir in the crumbled feta and serve.
How Long Does Pesto Pasta Salad Last In the Fridge?
About 3-4 days if stored in an air-tight container in the fridge.
What to Serve With Pesto Pasta Salad
This hearty vegetarian pasta is a meal in itself, but for meat lovers, I would suggest serving this alongside a juicy pork tenderloin or as an accompaniment to one of these delicious grilled dishes.
What To Drink With Pesto Pasta Salad
I love Landmark Vineyards 2019 Overlook Chardonnay, Overlook Pinot Noir or Elouan Oregon Pinot Noir for this pasta pairing.
