Pasta, Salads, Side Dishes

Pasta Salad

May 18, 2016

I cannot claim this recipe because I got it from a friend who got it from someone else.  It is always a hit when I make this pasta salad.  The main ingredient is pesto, but sometimes I will make a chipotle aioli sauce instead which is also very good.  I also switch it up by putting different ingredients depending on what I have or am looking to try a new version.

GourmetGirlDoesRE

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of bow tie pasta (penne pasta would be good as well)
  • 1 package cherub tomatoes cut in half
  • sun-dried tomatoes (optional), 1/2 to 1 cup julienne style
  • 1 to 2 small cans of chopped black olives
  • 1/3 to 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 can of artichoke hearts cut up into bite size pieces
  • 1 small container of pesto sauce (homemade is always good too)
  • approximately 1 to 2 cups of mayo (try 1 cup first and see how it all blends together)
  • 1 to 2 cups or more of parmesan cheese

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta per package instructions.
  2. Drain and place in large bowl.
  3. While the pasta is still hot, mix in the pesto and mayo.
  4. Add the other ingredients and let sit for at least 15-20 to allow all the flavors to mix together.

This can be made the day before.  You can always add more mayo or pesto if needed.   The original recipe I got did not have fresh tomatoes, just sun-dried tomatoes.  I like the fresh tomatoes better, but both are really good.   The original recipe also included turkey meat, which you can add.  Chicken would also be good in this.

Other things I have added before was fresh spinach, feta cheese or cubes of gruyere cheese, and salami cubes vs. turkey or chicken.

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