Description
Impress during the holidays with our Holiday Pesto Pasta Salad, a festive dish that combines fresh flavors beautifully, perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fusilli or bowtie pasta
Fresh Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the pasta of your choice and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Pesto: If you’re making your own pesto, blend fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, and olive oil until smooth. Adjust seasonings and texture to your preference.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, baby spinach, and pine nuts. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add Seasoning: Taste for seasoning and add salt, pepper, and extra cheese if desired. Mix again until everything is perfectly seasoned.
- Serve and Enjoy! Your Holiday Pesto Pasta Salad is now ready to be served. Transfer it to a serving bowl and garnish with additional parmesan and pine nuts for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Cool the Pasta: Make sure to cool the pasta before mixing; otherwise, the heat can wilt the fresh ingredients.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh produce will enhance the overall flavor and appearance of your salad.
- Toss Gently: Mix all your ingredients with care to keep the mozzarella balls intact.
- Chill Before Serving: Allow the salad to sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Garnish Just Before Serving: If you’re serving later, hold off on garnishing with pine nuts to ensure they stay crunchy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Holiday Pesto Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Pesto Recipe, Festive Salad, Holiday Recipe