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Fresh Cold Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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A quick and easy cold pasta salad featuring sun-dried tomatoes and basil pesto, perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces short pasta (fusilli, rotini, or penne)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (rehydrate if dry-packed)
  • ½ cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of ½ a fresh lemon
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts (optional)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving about ¼ cup of the pasta water.
  3. While the pasta is still warm, return it to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup basil pesto and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  4. Chop ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes into bite-size pieces and fold into the pasta.
  5. Drizzle 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and squeeze juice from half a lemon over the salad. Toss lightly and season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
  6. Sprinkle ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan and ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts on top. Add torn fresh basil leaves if desired.
  7. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  8. Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute any settled dressing and herbs.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when chilled. Toss pesto with warm pasta for better flavor absorption. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if pesto is too thick. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Optional ingredients like Parmesan and nuts add umami and crunch but can be omitted or substituted for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, summer recipe, cold pasta salad, easy pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://evabake.com/fresh-cold-pasta-salad-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-easy-summer-recipe/