Delicious Sun dried tomato pesto pasta salad
If you know me at all, you’ll know that I am a HUGE fan of a pasta salad. I have a delicious creamy pesto pasta salad and creamy chicken pesto pasta salad, both of which I make all the time!
I think pasta salads are the perfect side dish and they are so easy to whip up. I am all about quick and easy recipes and they don’t get much easier than this!
This sun dried tomato pesto is SO full of flavor and the beauty of it is it can be used on anything! Use it on any kind of pasta or a great spread on a sandwich. It also makes a great gift, put it in a jar and tie a ribbon around it. It can be stored for up to two weeks in the fridge so make a double batch!
Ingredients
- Pasta – I almost always use short pasta shapes for pasta salads as I just find them easier to eat. I have used farfalle here but any shape will work. Use gluten-free pasta if you need to.
- Fresh basil – I love the fresh flavor it brings and also it makes it a little bit like a traditional pesto.
- Pine nuts – Feel free to substitute the pine nuts for walnuts or any other nut you like.
- Nutritional yeast – I love using this as a substitute for parmesan cheese. It has a great cheesy flavor and is perfect for a vegan pesto.
- Sun dried tomatoes – I like to use the ones in oil but you can use the natural ones too.
- Lemon juice – Adds a nice zingy flavor.
- Garlic – Can be left out if you aren’t a fan.
- Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
- Dried chilli flakes – Adds a nice little hint of spice, leave it out if you aren’t a spice fan.
- Olive oil – I like to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
How to make this Sun dried tomato pesto pasta salad
- ONE: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water then drain and set aside.
- TWO: Blitz the pine nuts in a food processor until they are quite fine crumbs.
- THREE: Add the rest of the pesto ingredients (apart from the olive oil) and blitz until well combined.
- FOUR: Add the olive oil in a slow stream with the processor going until the pesto emulsifies and comes together.
- FIVE: Mix the pesto and cooked pasta together with the reserved pasta water. You can serve it as is or pop it in the fridge to cool.
- SIX: I like to add some toasted pine nuts on top for some extra crunch.
If you’re in the mood for another flavor-packed salad, my shrimp pesto pasta salad is a great choice, especially for seafood lovers.
Expert tips
- Reserve some pasta water – it is always a good idea to reserve some pasta water when making any kind of pasta dish. The starch in the water is a great binding agent.
- Mix the pasta and pesto together while the pasta is still warm.
- You can serve this warm or cold – I like to serve it cold and toss some extra pine nuts through it just before serving.
Why use nutritional yeast in pesto?
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that comes in a flaky powder form. It has a cheesy, nutty flavor and is used a lot in vegan cooking. It’s full of nutrients and is a really great alternative to parmesan in a pesto.
I am not vegan but I do love to make recipes that everyone can enjoy and I’m trying to eat less dairy in general. You can substitute it for parmesan or pecorino if you prefer.
If you’re interested in making more sauces from scratch, you’ll love my pesto sauce recipe for pasta, it’s easy, delicious, and full of flavor.
Recipe FAQs
What can I add to this pasta salad?
It will be delicious on its own but you could add some fresh cherry tomatoes or any other vegetables you like. Roasted vegetables would be delicious and some fresh arugula or baby spinach leaves would be great too.
What pasta shape is best for a pasta salad?
I like to use short shapes as I just find them easier to eat. Use whatever shape you prefer!
What is nutritional yeast?
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that comes in a flaky powder form. It has a cheesy, nutty flavor and is used a lot in vegan cooking. It’s full of nutrients and is a really great alternative to parmesan in a pesto.
Want some other recipes to try?
I love to entertain and have lots of dishes perfect for a BBQ or summer get together. If you loved this sun dried tomato pesto pasta salad then I highly suggest you try my easy caprese pasta salad pesto or my delicious creamy chicken pesto pasta salad. For a dessert to finish off your meal, I can recommend a no churn chocolate ice cream.
Recipe
Sun dried tomato pesto pasta salad
Ingredients
- 10 sun dried tomatoes in oil
- 350 g short cut pasta
- 1 cup fresh basil
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- Black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- Pinch of dried chilli flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water then drain and set aside.
- Blitz the pine nuts in a food processor until they are quite fine crumbs.
- Add the rest of the pesto ingredients (apart from the olive oil) and blitz until well combined.
- Add the olive oil in a slow stream with the processor going until the pesto emulsifies and comes together.
- Mix the pesto and cooked pasta together with the reserved pasta water. You can serve it as is or pop it in the fridge to cool.
- I like to add some toasted pine nuts on top for some extra crunch.
Notes
- Nutritional yeast – You can substitute the nutritional yeast for parmesan or pecorino if you prefer.
- This pesto will keep in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks so feel free to make a double batch!
