Fabulous Pesto Pasta Salad

This chilled pasta salad is perfect as a side dish or a main course. Serve with warm garlic bread and the perfect wine!

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

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
• ½ cup pine nuts
• 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
• ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
• 6 green onions, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
• ½ cup chopped fresh oregano
• 1 ½ cups chopped fresh basil
• 1 (4 ounce) can minced black olives

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, mustard, garlic, basil, oregano, cilantro, hot pepper sauce, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Add the tomatoes, green onions and olives to the bowl, and stir to coat. Refrigerate.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and rinse with cold water to cool. Add pasta to the bowl of dressing, and mix well. Top with mozzarella cheese and pine nuts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.