Welcome to The Hungry Story, a food blog where you can witness healthy and tasty recipes. In this series, you will discover a total of 7 nutritious salads that are perfect for weight loss, offering both health benefits and delightful flavors. Let’s begin our first episode on healthy salad breakfasts for a healthy lifestyle with the yummy Pesto Pasta Salad. It’s a nutritious treat for people like me who crave to eat something new every day. So, without any delay, let’s jump into the recipes and start your journey towards a healthier you!
Level: Easy Preparation time: 15 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Servings: 2
How to Make Pesto Pasta Salad?
To make the tasty Pesto Pasta Salad recipe, all it takes is 10–15 minutes. After this duration, you will be satisfied with the mind-blowing creamy pesto pasta Green salad benefits and taste that is ready to serve you. Here is the list of ingredients for the creamy pesto pasta salad for a healthy breakfast option. All you need to prepare a healthy bowl of vegan pesto pasta salad is:
Pesto Pasta Salad Ingredients (per serving):
Salad Base:
- 1/2 cup of boiled pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped olives
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
For the pesto sauce:
- 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup paneer cubes
- 1/4 cup walnuts or peanut
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 5–6 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbsp pepper
- 1 tbsp chili powder (optional)
- Salt to taste
Directions:
- Prepare the salad base:
- Chop the olives, onions, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes to the desired size and measurements.
- Keep them aside to mix with pesto sauce in a large salad bowl.
- Prepare the ingredients:
- Start by washing the fresh basil leaves thoroughly.
- Cut the paneer into cubes (your desired size).
- Peel the garlic cloves and keep them aside.
- Toast the walnuts or peanuts.
- Preheat a pan over medium heat.
- Add the walnuts, peanuts, or nuts of your choice and toast them for about 3–5 minutes until they are golden brown and fragrant.
- Remove the skin from walnuts or peanuts and keep it in the bowl. Let it cool down for a minute.
- Blend the ingredients:
- In a blender, add the washed basil leaves, toasted peanuts, garlic cloves, and paneer cubes.
- Pulse a few times to combine all the ingredients (open and stir in between for a mixing of flavors).
- Then add olive oil and lemon juice to the paste and pulse it a few times.
- Combine and serve:
- Pour the prepared pesto dressing over the salad base and toss well to combine.
- Season the dressing:
- Add the pepper, chilly powder, and salt to taste.
- Blend again to ensure the seasoning is evenly spread.
- Serve:
- Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl.
- Serve immediately as a dip, spread, or accompaniment to your favorite healthy, delicious salad!
Tips For Better Cooking:
- Ensure you are not allergic to peanuts or walnuts before using them in the salad recipe.
- Boil the pasta for 2-3 minutes to keep it al dente. Overcooking can make it creamy and mushy.
- Serve the salad with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or cheese of your choice, or try a Pesto Pasta Salad with Feta for added flavor.
- Save the boiled pasta water to use later in the dressing or sauce.
- Summer Pesto Pasta Salad can be made in other flavors using sun-dried tomato paste, chicken, and red bell pepper.
How Long Does Pesto Pasta Salad Last In The Fridge?
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad, made with freshly prepared sauce and ingredients, can last in the fridge for 2 to 3 days if stored properly. Store it in an airtight container until ready to serve to ensure it stays fresh. Once opened and used, it is not recommended to store and use it again. Here are some tips to keep it fresh:
Storage Tips:
- Airtight Container:
- Store the Vegan Pesto Pasta healthy greens salad in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing other odors from the fridge and to keep it fresh.
- Keep it Chilled:
- Ensure your fridge is set to a temperature of around 40°F or below to keep the Pesto Pasta Green Salad safe.
- Dress Before Serving:
- Store the salad base and dressing or pesto sauce separately and combine them just before serving. This method can help prevent the pasta from becoming too soggy.
- Check for Freshness:
- Before eating leftovers, check the salad and dressing for any signs of fungus activity, or spoilage, such as an off smell, discoloration, or mold.
How Many Calories In 1 Bowl of Pesto Pasta Salad?
Here are the helpful notes on Pesto Pasta Salad Calorie count. Know about it before you eat especially if you’re on a diet.
Total Pesto Pasta Green Salad Calories for the Entire Salad: 701 calories
1/4 Cup of Chopped olives: 35 calories
1/4 Cup of Chopped onions: 15 calories
1/2 Cup of Boiled pasta: 100 calories
1/4 Cup of Chopped cucumber: 4 calories
1/4 Cup of Cherry tomatoes: 8 calories
1 cup of Fresh basil leaves: 5 calories
1/2 cup Paneer cubes: 180 calories
1/4 cup Walnuts or peanuts: 200 calories
1 tbsp Olive oil: 120 calories
1 tbsp Lemon juice: 4 calories
5–6 cloves Garlic: 30 calories
Pesto Pasta Green Salad Calories per Bowl: Approximately 350.5 calories
Pesto Pasta Salad Nutritional Information:
With the calculated Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad Calories, you will gain insight into your daily calorie intake. With this clear understanding, I hope you will love making this amazing summer pesto pasta salad at home.
- Total Nutritional Information for the Entire Salad:
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
| 701 kcal | 25.7 gram | 52.2 gram | 44.8 gram | 6.7 gram |
- Nutritional Information per Bowl:
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
| 350.5 kcal | 12.85 gram | 26.1 gram | 22.4 gram | 3.35 gram |
What To Have With Pesto Pasta Green Salad?
- Grilled Chicken: Lightly seasoned or marinated green and red grilled chicken pairs wonderfully with the flavors of the creamy salad, making its best as Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad.
- Shrimp Skewers: Grilled or sautéed butter garlic shrimp skewers add a protein-rich and flavorful addition.
- Grilled Fish: Lightly seasoned or roasted or grilled omega-rich fish like salmon or tilapia is a great option for a more substantial meal.
For a vegan meal:
- Grilled Tofu or Panner: Marinate tofu or panner in your favorite seasoning and grill it for a few minutes to enjoy the high protein-packed dish that pairs well with Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe.
- Garlic Bread: A classic side dish to enjoy alongside the delicious flavors of the Pesto Pasta Salad.
- Vegan Bruschetta: Toasted plain or wheat bread topped with diced tomatoes, basil, butter, and garlic makes for a fresh and tasty side.
- Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits provides a refreshing and sweet contrast to the savory pesto pasta.
- Roasted Vegetables: A bowl of roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus makes a tasteful combination for the salad. The caramelized flavors of the vegetables enhance the fresh taste of the pesto pasta.
- Caprese Salad with Vegan Mozzarella or Feta: Slice vegan mozzarella cheese or feta, tomatoes, fresh basil, and drizzle with olive oil dressing or balsamic glaze. It can make dishes such as Pesto Pasta Salad with Feta.
