Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad with Peas & Spinach
This Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is a delightful, vibrant dish perfect for summery gatherings like barbecues, beach parties, or picnics. The combination of fusilli and bow tie pasta provides a pleasing texture, while the homemade pesto and fresh ingredients create a rich, aromatic flavor. Loaded with tender peas and nutrient-packed spinach, this pasta salad is both nourishing and refreshing. Serve it at room temperature to let the flavors meld, making it a must-have for any outdoor feast!
N/A
Servings
240
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
fusilli pasta
3/4 lb (cooked al dente)
bow tie pasta
3/4 lb (cooked al dente)
olive oil
1/4 cup (drizzled over pasta)
pesto sauce
1 1/2 cups (homemade or store-bought)
frozen chopped spinach
10 ounces (defrosted and squeezed dry)
fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
good mayonnaise
1 1/4 cups (none)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (none)
frozen peas
1 1/2 cups (defrosted)
pignolis (pine nuts)
1/3 cup (toasted if desired)
kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the fusilli and bow tie pasta separately for 10 to 12 minutes or until each pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
2
2. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
3
3. In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, combine the pesto, defrosted spinach, and fresh lemon juice. Puree until smooth.
4
4. Add the mayonnaise to the food processor and blend until creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed.
5
5. Pour the pesto mixture over the cooled pasta. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, defrosted peas, pignolis, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
6
6. Gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
7
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
16g
Fat
23g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad with Peas & Spinach?
It is a vibrant, creamy pasta dish featuring fusilli and bow tie pasta, homemade or store-bought pesto, spinach, and peas, designed for summer gatherings like picnics and barbecues.
What types of pasta are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of 3/4 lb of fusilli pasta and 3/4 lb of bow tie pasta.
How long should I cook the pasta?
The pasta should be cooked for 10 to 12 minutes or until it is al dente.
Should the pasta be cooked together?
No, the instructions specify cooking the fusilli and bow tie pasta separately in boiling salted water.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking after cooking?
After draining the pasta, transfer it to a large bowl and drizzle it with 1/4 cup of olive oil, then toss to combine.
What is the base of the creamy dressing?
The dressing consists of pesto sauce, defrosted spinach, fresh lemon juice, and mayonnaise blended until smooth.
Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes, you can use either homemade or store-bought pesto sauce for this recipe.
How much pesto sauce is required?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of pesto sauce.
What kind of spinach should I use?
Use 10 ounces of frozen chopped spinach that has been defrosted and squeezed dry.
How do I prepare the spinach for the dressing?
Combine the defrosted spinach with pesto and lemon juice in a food processor and puree until smooth.
How much mayonnaise is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 cups of good quality mayonnaise.
Is fresh lemon juice necessary?
Yes, the recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What kind of cheese is added to the salad?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Do I need to cook the peas?
No, the recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of frozen peas that have been defrosted.
What are pignolis?
Pignolis are pine nuts; the recipe uses 1/3 cup, and you can toast them if desired.
How should I season the pasta salad?
Use 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and 3/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper, or adjust to your preference.
Should I chill the salad before serving?
Yes, cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What is the best temperature to serve this dish?
It is recommended to serve this pasta salad at room temperature.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 240 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 16 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this pasta salad?
There are 23 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this salad provide?
One serving provides 5 grams of protein.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 12 ingredients required for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for a picnic?
Yes, it is specifically described as a must-have for picnics, beach parties, and outdoor feasts.
Can I use a food processor for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor fitted with a steel blade is used to blend the dressing components.
What is the texture of the dressing?
The dressing is creamy and smooth once the mayonnaise is blended with the pesto-spinach puree.
Can I adjust the seasonings?
Yes, the instructions suggest tasting and adjusting the salt and pepper after mixing all ingredients together.
How do I mix the salad?
Gently mix the pesto mixture, cheese, peas, and pine nuts into the cooled pasta until well combined.
Is this a good recipe for summer?
Yes, it is described as a delightful, vibrant, and refreshing dish perfect for summery gatherings.
What equipment is needed to cook the pasta?
You will need a large pot of boiling salted water to cook the pasta until al dente.