Fabulous Pesto Pasta Salad

Description

This chilled pasta salad is perfect as a side dish or a main course. Serve with warm garlic bread and the perfect wine!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 ½ cups chopped fresh basil
  • ½ cup chopped fresh oregano
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
  • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 (4 ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
  • 6 green onions, chopped
  • 1 (4 ounce) can minced black olives
  • 1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl
  2. whisk together the sugar
  3. salt
  4. pepper
  5. onion powder
  6. mustard
  7. garlic
  8. basil
  9. oregano
  10. cilantro
  11. hot pepper sauce
  12. red wine vinegar
  13. olive oil
  14. lemon juice
  15. and Parmesan cheese. Add the tomatoes
  16. green onions and olives to the bowl
  17. and stir to coat. Refrigerate.
  18. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta
  19. and cook for 7 minutes
  20. or until tender. Drain
  21. and rinse with cold water to cool. Add pasta to the bowl of dressing
  22. and mix well. Top with mozzarella cheese and pine nuts. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 8

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