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Pesto pasta salad with homemade basil pesto

Whether you're cooking for yourself or a group, this pesto pasta salad is sure to satisfy your taste buds and provide a delicious vegetarian side dish!
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Course: Side Dish, Salad, Dinner, Lunch
Keyword: salad, easy recipe, salad recipe, side dish, vegetarian
Servings: 5
Author: kizactivelife

Ingredients

  • 350g pasta of choice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 220g cherry bocconcini halved
  • 1 handful of rocket
  • basil leaves chopped
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese

Basil pesto

  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cups basil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • salt/pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 180°c (fan forced) and line a baking tray. Add your pine nuts and roast for 5 minutes then allow to cool slightly.
  • Cook pasta as per directions.
  • In a blender or food processor add the basil, pine nuts, minced garlic, salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, olive oil and blend until smooth. 
  • In a large salad bowl add the rocket, cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cherry bocconcini, basil pesto, sliced basil and parmesan cheese. 
  • Mix, serve and enjoy! 

Notes

If you're short on time you can always use a store bought pesto!