Fabulous Pesto Pasta Salad

This fabulous pesto pasta salad recipe, with chilled pasta, fresh herbs, and spices, is perfect as a side or a main course, served with garlic bread.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 506 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
• 6 green onions, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
• 1 (4 ounce) can minced black olives
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 0.5 cup olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons white sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 0.5 cup pine nuts
• 0.33333334326744 cup red wine vinegar
• 1.5 cups chopped fresh basil
• 0.5 cup chopped fresh oregano

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Whisk basil, oregano, oil, Parmesan cheese, olives, vinegar, cilantro, sugar, hot sauce, garlic, black pepper, Dijon mustard, salt, lemon, and onion powder together in a large bowl; stir in tomatoes and green onions to coat. Refrigerate.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook farfalle at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water, drain. Add pasta to the bowl; mix well. Top with mozzarella cheese and pine nuts. Refrigerate before serving, at least 1 hour.