Build Your Own Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer. It is made with cooked pasta, pesto sauce, and a variety of vegetables. The best part about pesto pasta salad is that it is customizable to your liking. You can use any type of pasta, vegetables, and pesto sauce that you like.
To build your own pesto pasta salad, start by cooking your pasta according to the package directions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse it with cold water.
Next, make your pesto sauce. You can use a store-bought pesto sauce or make your own. To make your own pesto sauce, combine the following ingredients in a food processor:
* 1 cup fresh basil leaves
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 cup olive oil
* 1/4 cup pine nuts
* 2 cloves garlic
* Salt and pepper to taste
Process the ingredients until they are smooth and well combined.
Once you have your pesto sauce, add it to the cooked pasta. Then, add your desired vegetables. Some popular vegetables to add to pesto pasta salad include:
* Tomatoes
* Cucumbers
* Bell peppers
* Zucchini
* Olives
* Artichokes
* Sun-dried tomatoes
Once you have added your vegetables, stir everything together until it is well combined. You can also add other ingredients to your pesto pasta salad, such as:
* Mozzarella cheese
* Feta cheese
* Grilled chicken
* Shrimp
* Tuna
Once you have added all of your desired ingredients, your pesto pasta salad is ready to serve. You can serve it immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for later.
Pesto pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is a great option for a light lunch or dinner, and it is also perfect for picnics and potlucks.