Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- Dried Pasta - 1 lb box
- Pesto Sauce (recipe follows) - ¾ cup
- Grape Tomatoes - 1 cup, cut in half
- Black - 1 cup, chopped
- Mozzarella Cheese - 1 cup, fresh
- Pepperoni - ½ cup, quartered
- Pine Nuts - 4 tbsp., toasted
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Parmesan Cheese to Garnish
- Pesto Sauce
- Fresh Basil Leaves - ¾ cups packed
- Pine Nuts - 4 tbsp., toasted
- Garlic - 2 clove, peeled
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - 1/3- 1/2 cup
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to directions on box. While pasta is cooking, prepare pesto, and set aside. Keep a half cup of the pasta water then drain pasta. Pour the pesto dressing over the pasta and add the rest of the ingredients and toss together.
- Add more salt and pepper and add a little of the pasta water if necessary.
- Add grated Parmesan, if you want for garnish. Store in the refrigerator before serving.
- Put everything expect the oil into your food processor and pulse as you do add the oil until it is a smooth pesto paste.