Imagine a summer day where every bite transports you to the sun-drenched hills of Italy, where flavors dance and freshness reigns supreme. Mama Ute's Pesto Pasta Salad is not just a recipe; it's a culinary journey that promises to tantalize your taste buds and become an instant family favorite. With its vibrant colors, creamy mozzarella, and perfectly toasted pine nuts, this dish is about to revolutionize your meal prep and impress even the most discerning food critics at your next gathering!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 250g pasta (fusilli or penne)
- 100g pesto sauce
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 100g mozzarella balls
- 50g pine nuts, toasted
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Use approximately 1 tablespoon of salt per liter of water to enhance pasta flavor.
- Add the pasta (fusilli or penne) to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta is cooking, toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat when they turn golden brown and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with pesto sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated.
- Gently fold in halved cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls into the pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the salad for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving.
- Chill in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
Tips
- Salt is Your Friend: Use generously salted water when boiling pasta to infuse flavor from the start.
- Al Dente is Key: Cook pasta just until tender to maintain the perfect texture.
- Toast Pine Nuts Carefully: Watch them like a hawk! They can burn quickly, so keep stirring and remove from heat the moment they turn golden.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Letting the salad rest in the refrigerator allows the ingredients to mingle and intensify their taste.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: Use high-quality pesto and fresh basil for an authentic, restaurant-worthy result.
- Customize Your Creation: Feel free to add grilled chicken or swap mozzarella for feta to make the recipe your own.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 351kcal
Carbohydrates: 37g
Protein: 13g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
