Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad
This cold pesto pasta salad will cool you off on a summer day. Fresh tomatoes and roasted red peppers add a pop of bright color and juiciness here, but any of your favorite pasta-salad veggies—like blanched broccoli or fresh bell peppers—would be delicious too.
Ingredients
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1 pound whole-wheat penne or rotini pasta
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2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
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½ cup lightly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
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½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 clove garlic, grated
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
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1 teaspoon salt
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¼ tablespoon ground pepper
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½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
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1 medium tomato, chopped
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½ cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers, rinsed
Description
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
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Meanwhile, combine basil, parsley, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse, scraping down the sides as necessary, until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil.
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Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and add the pasta, tomato and peppers. Toss to coat. Top with more basil, if desired.