Pesto pasta salad
Tips
To ensure that you end up with a vibrant and flavourful salad, make sure you select the freshest produce available such as ripe tomatoes, crisp mixed salad, and fragrant basil leaves. When cooking the pasta, aim for an al dente texture so it retains a slight bite and does not become mushy when combined with other ingredients. Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.
Tips
Several types of salami can be used for the pesto pasta salad. Classic Italian options, such as Genoa salami, offer a rich, robust flavour and tender texture, while soppressata provides a spicier kick with its coarsely ground pork seasoned with red pepper flakes, garlic, and wine. Milano salami, with its milder flavour and firmer texture, is another option that can subtly complement the other salad ingredients. You can also opt for pepperoni or chorizo, both of which introduce a smoky and spicy flavour profile to the salad.
Questions about pesto pasta salad
This delightful pesto pasta salad features a medley of fresh ingredients and a homemade cottage cheese pesto with basil and parmesan. Read on to discover helpful tips and answers to the most commonly asked questions about it.
Ingredients
|
Penne pasta
|
400 g |
|---|---|
|
Cottage cheese
|
250 g |
|
Fresh basil
|
1 pot |
|
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
|
40 g |
|
Salt (to taste)
|
1 pinch |
|
Lemon (unwaxed), finely grated zest
|
1 |
|
Galia melon
|
1 |
|
Cherry tomatoes cut in half
|
250 g |
|
Salami
|
100 g |
|
Mixed green salads
|
100 g |
|
Pistachios, coarsely chopped
|
30 g |
Colourful and creamy pesto pasta salad with fresh ingredients
A colourful and creamy pesto pasta salad is the ideal choice for a vibrant summer meal. Bursting with fresh ingredients, this dish not only looks stunning on the table but also packs a flavourful punch. The combination of penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, salami, melon, pistachios, and mixed greens adds a visual appeal and creates a refreshing medley of flavours. The creamy pesto sauce, made with fresh basil, ties the dish together, making it a perfect meal for warm summer days, picnics, or outdoor gatherings. The refreshing taste fused with the rich pesto sauce creates a satisfying and wholesome dish that will leave a lasting impression on your palate.
Make homemade cottage cheese pesto with basil and parmesan
Making a homemade cottage cheese pesto is a simple and delicious way to elevate any pasta dish, including this one. By combining fresh basil leaves, parmesan cheese, and cottage cheese, you get a rich and velvety sauce that complements the pasta and other ingredients perfectly. The basil gives an earthy, fragrant note, while the parmesan adds a sharp, salty depth. The cottage cheese contributes a creamy, tangy undertone that balances the flavours and adds a creamy texture. Give this homemade pesto a try and experience the difference it makes to use a homemade version in a pesto pasta salad – you will surely impress your family and friends with this delicious and easy-to-make sauce.
Add sweetness with melon and cherry tomatoes
Embrace the sweetness of summer with melon and cherry tomatoes in this easy pesto pasta salad. The enticing aroma and succulent texture of the galia melon infuse the dish with a juicy, refreshing quality, creating a delightful contrast to the rich pesto sauce, and adding a burst of summery flavour to every bite. The vibrant and plump cherry tomatoes offer a tangy, acidic touch to complement the melon's sweetness. Together, this flavourful duo creates a delightful interplay of taste and texture that adds depth and complexity to the pesto pasta salad. Savour this colourful, satisfying meal as a tribute to warm, sunny days and the fresh bounty of summer.
Try some of our other refreshing recipes with a taste of summer, for example, our watermelon salad with salad cheese, bonfire bread on a stick, and grilled corn on the cob with chilli butter.
Enjoy an easy, cold pesto pasta salad for dinner or as a side dish
This summer pesto pasta salad is a versatile and convenient option that can be enjoyed for dinner or as a side dish. The simplicity and ease of preparation make it a great choice for busy weeknight dinners. The combination of flavours and textures ensures that it will be well-received by the whole family. If you are serving it as a side dish, you can pair it with grilled meats, fish, or a variety of other dishes, adding a refreshing and satisfying option to any meal. This dish is also perfect for potlucks or picnics, as you can prepare it ahead of time and serve it chilled, making it a crowd-pleasing, low-maintenance option that everyone will enjoy.
Experiment with the ingredients
To experiment a bit with the recipe, consider using different types of melons, such as cantaloupe or honeydew, in place of the galia melon.
Cantaloupe has a sweet and slightly musky taste with a tender, juicy texture. Honeydew melon has a subtly sweet, mellow flavour with a smoother and more delicate taste compared to cantaloupe, with a refreshing, mildly floral and cucumber-like undertone.
Additionally, you can swap cherry tomatoes for other varieties to experiment with different levels of sweetness and acidity.
Grape tomatoes have a firm texture with a mildly sweet taste. They offer a satisfying pop when you bite into them, and their concentrated flavour can brighten up the pesto pasta salad. Sun-dried tomatoes offer a distinct, intensely rich, and tangy flavour that can add a bold and concentrated tomato taste to your pesto pasta salad.
