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    Home » Main Courses

    Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

    Published: Jun 26, 2020 · Modified: Jan 2, 2023 by dirndlkitchen · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    This is one of those pasta salads my mom makes on repeat. It's simple, super delicious and bursting with summer flavors like fresh tomatoes and a homemade pesto lemon dressing. We typically eat it with a variety of grilled goods like Bratwurst and Schwenkbraten when I am at home in Germany.  

    Dirndl kitchen pesto pasta salad2

    This light pasta salad is like a vacation to Italy in your mouth. I make my own, simple pesto for it using my immersion blender because for one, it tastes amazing! Secondly, I have a severe cashew allergy and never noticed that EVERYONE puts cashews in their jarred pesto until I paid more attention to the labels because of my allergy.

    For my pesto, I combine only the freshest ingredients: loads of fresh basil, fresh lemon juice, skillet-roasted pine nuts, aged parmesan, fresh garlic, and lubricate it all with a healthy amount of extra virgin olive oil.

    I then toss my hot penne with the lemony pesto and sautéed veggies for a refreshing, vegetarian pasta salad to accompany your favorite grilled goods (I suggest you try making some Schwenkbraten soon!).

    I serve the salad warm or cold, both are great! You can also make the pesto a few days ahead of time to cut the day-of prep time down to a silly short 15 minutes. Guten Appetit!

    Dirndl kitchen pesto pasta salad2

    Ute's Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

    Author: Sophie Sadler
    Summertime in Germany: Schwenkgrills filled with bratwurst, marinated meats and veggies. And as if that wasn't wonderful enough, here come the sides: fresh bread and salads galore including this mediterranean-inspired pesto pasta salad that is like the one my Mama Ute makes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine German
    Servings 8 servings (as side)
    Calories 217 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For Salad

    • 500 g pasta I used Nuraxi's ancient grain Sardinian pasta
    • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 or 3 zucchini or yellow squash I used 2 zucchini and 1 yellow squash
    • 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoon roasted pine nuts I dry roast mine in a skillet for a few minutes
    • 2 large tomatoes medium diced
    • ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
    • 1 to 2 tablespoon Calabrian Chili Paste optional

    For Pesto

    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil I used Nuraxi's highest quality Sardinian olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • ¼ cup roasted pine nuts I dry roast mine in a skillet for a few minutes
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
    • 2 cloves fresh garlic
    • 1 handful basil leaves
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente (follow instructions on package). Drain and set aside.
    • In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium high, then add the zucchini and cook for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute or until fragrant and starting to brown. Add calabrian chili paste if desired. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
    • For the pesto, combine all pesto ingredients in a food processor (I actually use a cup and an immersion blender), and blend until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Combine pasta, pesto, sautéed veggies, pine nuts and diced fresh tomatoes in a large serving bowl, then top with grated parm and some fresh basil leaves. Guten Appetit!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 217kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 478mgPotassium: 638mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 848IUVitamin C: 32mgCalcium: 144mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Sophie Sadler dirndl kitchen headshot

    Hallo! I'm Sophie Sadler, cookbook author of 'The German Home Kitchen', coming this September, and German food blogger at dirndl kitchen since 2015. I am so happy you’re here! 🥨

    I moved from Trier, Germany to the U.S. in 2009 and soon terribly missed the flavors of home. Crusty German bread, flaky pastries, afternoon Kaffee & Kuchen, and, of course, Döner Kebab and pretzels! So, I started sharing my love for German food and traditions with fun, easy-to-follow recipes. Stay a while, bookmark some recipes, and let’s cook together!

    🥐 Join Plunderteig 101, which is my German Pastry School!
    🇩🇪 Become a Member to get exclusive recipes & behind-the-scenes content.
    📩 Subscribe to My Free Newsletter to get German food inspiration straight to your inbox!
    📚 Pre-Order My Cookbook The German Home Kitchen (Coming Sept 2025!)

    Mit viel Liebe,
    Sophie 💛

    More about me →

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