Delicious Cavatappi Pesto Salad Recipe – Perfect for Any Occasion!
The vibrant flavors of our Cavatappi Pesto Salad! This dish combines the delightful textures of al dente cavatappi pasta with the rich, herby taste of homemade pesto, complemented by crunchy almonds and juicy sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a refreshing choice for a nutritious meal, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for a quick weekday meal. Quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious, this salad will become your new go-to recipe!
Cavatappi Pesto Salad
4
servings15
minutes10
minutes358
kcal5
minutes30
minutesDive into the vibrant flavors of our Cavatappi Pesto Salad! This dish combines the delightful textures of al dente cavatappi pasta with the rich, herby taste of homemade pesto, complemented by crunchy almonds and juicy sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a refreshing choice for a nutritious meal, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for a quick weekday meal. Quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious, this salad will become your new go-to recipe!
Ingredients
- Pasta
12 oz cavatappi pasta
- Pesto Sauce
1/2 cup homemade pesto
- Nuts
1/2 cup toasted almonds, slivered
- Vegetables
1 carrot, grated
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- Seasonings
salt and pepper
- Add-ins
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, slivered
Directions
- Mixing Dressing – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh lemon juice. Stir in the pesto until well combined. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Preparing Pasta – Cook the cavatappi pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; this stops the cooking process and keeps the pasta firm.
- Combining Ingredients – Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the pesto dressing. Toss to coat evenly. Fold in the grated carrot, peas (thawed if frozen), toasted almonds, and sun-dried tomatoes. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients throughout the pasta.
- Seasoning and Serving – Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Let the salad rest for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
- Alternative Ingredients
- Whole wheat cavatappi for a fiber-rich option (replaces regular cavatappi)
- Walnut pieces instead of almonds for a different nutty flavor (replaces almonds)
- Frozen artichoke hearts instead of peas for a Mediterranean twist (replaces peas)
- Balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar for a sweeter dressing (replaces red wine vinegar)
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- colander
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 358kcal
- Fat: 11.86g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2g
- Cholesterol: 49mg
- Sodium: 61mg
- Potassium: 300mg
- Carbohydrates: 50.64g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 47.65g
- Protein: 14.19g
- Vitamin A: 10IU
- Vitamin C: 20mg
- Calcium: 5mg
- Iron: 15mg
