Pesto Pasta Salad (Printer version)

A light pasta mix with basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and pine nuts for fresh summer meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)

→ Pesto

02 - 1/3 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

→ Vegetables & Add-ins

03 - 2/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
04 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or diced mozzarella)
05 - 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
06 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach (optional)

→ Seasoning

07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
09 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
10 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta with basil pesto and olive oil until coated evenly.
03 - Fold in sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, pine nuts, and spinach if using. Toss gently to combine.
04 - Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest if desired. Adjust to taste.
05 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 1 hour to enhance flavors before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes even better the next day when flavors settle into every curve of the pasta.
  • You can throw it together faster than takeout arrives, yet it feels impressive enough for guests.
  • The pine nuts add a richness that makes it feel indulgent without being heavy.
02 -
  • If you dress the pasta while it's still hot, the pesto will separate and become oily instead of coating everything evenly—cooling it first makes all the difference.
  • The mozzarella will toughen if it sits in cold dressing too long, so add it just before serving unless you like it chewy.
03 -
  • Toast your own pine nuts in a dry skillet for two minutes if you have them raw—it transforms them from bland to buttery and worth the extra step.
  • If your pesto tastes a bit flat once mixed in, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice wakes everything up immediately and costs nothing.
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