This Creamy Pesto Pasta is full of tomatoes, artichokes, peas, and topped with a creamy pesto sauce! It's sure to be a BBQ favorite!
Creamy Pesto Pasta is perfect for dinner, BBQs, pot lucks, or a quick lunch. would be perfect for occasion. Use store bought or homemade pesto (recipe below), both work well in this recipe. Delicious fresh basil is readily available in the summer, or you might even have your own plant - use it! I like to make this salad the night before I will be serving it, then refrigerate it and serve the next day; the flavor is amazing!
How to make Creamy Pesto Pasta:
How to make Creamy Pesto Pasta:- While the pasta is boiling, prepare the creamy pesto sauce, and prep the vegetables.
- Mix everything in a large bowl, making sure everything is coated in the sauce, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
- TIP: Use a stock pot to cook your pasta, then mix everything in the same big pot - it will make mixing SO much easier!
How to make Homemade Pesto:
I have a great homemade pesto sauce recipe on Domestic Superhero, but it's very simple:
- 1 cup basil leaves, 1 TBS olive oil, 2 TBS pine nuts (or any nuts work well), 2 TBS parmesan cheese, pinch of salt and pepper.
- Place everything into a food processor, then process until combined. Scrape down the sides, then pulse a few seconds more. Store in a closed container in the refrigerator.
I like using tomatoes, peas, and artichokes in the this creamy pesto pasta, but if you don't like a certain component, you can always substitute it with something else or leave it out. That's the thing with pasta salad, you can pretty much throw whatever you want into it, and it will turn out delicious!
Other recipes you might enjoy with Creamy Pesto Pasta:
- Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Black Bean Burgers are deliciously cheesy, spicy hot, and protein packed black bean burgers! Perfect for the meatless grill option!
- Spicy Black Bean Avocado Burgers are spicy yet sweetened up with delicious honey BBQ sauce! Topped with a fresh avocado and pepper jack cheese - these are the perfect burgers!
- Spicy Black Bean Hawaiian BBQ Burgers will be a hit at your next BBQ, and even the meat eaters will be asking for this recipe!
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is ready to eat in just minutes and is super flavorful! No need to peel the husk; corn on the cob can be cooked directly in the husk and then removed without a mess!
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This Creamy Pesto Pasta is full of tomatoes, artichokes, peas, and topped with a creamy pesto sauce! It's sure to be a BBQ favorite!
- 1 lb pasta I like rigatoni or a small circular pasta
- 1 cup homemade or store bought pesto
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup frozen sweet peas
- 16 ounces artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, and chopped roughly
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into halves
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
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Cook pasta el dente according to directions, drain and set aside in a large bowl.
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In a small bowl mix pesto sauce and mayonnaise together and set aside.
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IN a large bowl or the same stock pot you used to cook the pasta, add pasta, peas, artichokes, and tomatoes. Pour pesto mixture over the top and toss to mix and coat evenly.
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Allow the salad to cool in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving, up to overnight.
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Garnish with additional cheese and fresh basil if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Jessica
How do I make my own pesto?
Allyson
Jessica! It's so easy!! Literally a handful of fresh basil leaves, a couple TBS of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup pine nuts, and a couple cloves of garlic. Put it all in the food processor and mix, then stream some Extra Virgin olive oil into the processor to get right consistency..probably 1/4 cup or so. Done! This is essentially what you are going for, https://domesticsuperhero.com/2012/08/27/arugula-lemon-pesto/ but it's done with arugula and almonds instead of typical basil/pine nuts
Julie Corbisiero
Hi Allyson, this summer salad looks so good! Thanks for sharing it looks like a winner.
Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com
JESS44903
This looks delicious!! I totally need to try this! Pinned!
Allyson
Thanks!!
now at home mom
Your pesto salad looks absolutely delicious Allyson! 🙂 this is something I would love to try! 🙂
Allyson
Thank you, Ingrid!!
Rebecca from Who Needs a Cape?
Wow that looks so yummy! Found you over on the Tumble Weed Contessa's linky party.
Allyson
Thanks for coming by!!
De'nise
YUM! This looks really good & thanks for the nice complement. <3 😀
I'll have to try your version-soon!
mfashforward
Would love for you to share this at my link party where we pin all those who join to our party board
http://myfashionforwardblog.com/all-things-pretty-11/
bonnie@uncommon designs
Seriously yummy! Totally pinning! 😉
Alyssa
I love anything with pesto in it. Pinning this one for later! I'm over here from My Turn (for us) Link up!
Robin~All Things Heart and Home
This looks so yummy! What a perfect dish for summertime! xo
Robin
Why is it that salads always, look, sound and taste so much better in the summer? Thank you for coming by and sharing this on Fluster Buster's Creative Muster Party.
Robin
Fluster Buster
Lori Who Needs A Cape?
Beautiful salad!
We'd love for you to share it at our 1st SUPER SUNDAY Linky Party:
http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/06/super-sunday-party-1/
Lori
Whoneedsacape.com
Not Your Average Super Moms!
Tumbleweed Contessa
Great idea for summer time gatherings or for a take to work lunch. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend. Best wishes for tasty dishes this week!
Julia
Yummy! This looks amazing! I pinned and can't wait to try it!
Cheers,
Julia
It's Always Ruetten
carriehurst
Featuring you on Thursday from last week's party. Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.
Allyson
Thanks!! I am going to give you a big shout out on facebook!
Erin @ DIY On the Cheap
This looks yummy! Perfect for a summer get together. I'll definitely have to try this!
Helena
I love this recipe. Have used it at BBQs 3 times now, and each time it was a great success. It's really easy and can be prepped in advance. I roasted the cherry tomatoes in the oven for 20 mins before throwing in the salad though to add a bit more flavour.
Allyson
Wow, that sounds like a great idea! I will have to try that next time! Thanks for sharing!
Demeter
I love the idea of making this a day ahead and having it all ready to go! Looks fantastic!
Amanda
This looks so yummy! I cant wait to try!!
Delaney | Melanie Makes
What a great side dish!
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish
Ohhhh boy! This looks like a winner to me! I have some fresh garden tomatoes and basil. I know what I will be making.
Sabrina
I love pesto! This sounds so delcious!
Krista
This will make a great addition to our BBQ!