This Pesto Pasta Salad Only Takes 15 Minutes to Make
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Dear friends and family, we are officially entering the season of pasta salad. Have you found your back-pocket recipe for summer yet? I have to be real: I’m not one for the mayo-laden traditional pasta salads you might have found at picnics 20 years ago. I always gravitate towards something a bit weird like this BLT pasta salad from Kitchn, or to something super simple and easy to throw together.
That’s why I was excited to find this 15-minute pesto pasta salad from Little Spice Jar. Instead of mayo, there’s homemade pesto; instead of vegetables, there’s lots of mozzarella and tomatoes; and instead of macaroni, there’s cheesy tortellini.
Let’s talk about this homemade pesto for a second. It’s made with spinach, basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. I love how the blogger played around with the pesto and added more greens with the spinach, and switched the pine nuts for walnuts. Pine nuts are expensive, and walnuts are a much more budget-friendly option.
So, anyway, you make the pesto while the water boils for the tortellini. When the pasta is cooked, you toss it with the pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, Parmesan cheese, and extra basil. The result is an easy picnic classic that everyone is sure to love (including kids).
Get the Recipe: 15 Minute Spinach Pesto Tortellini Salad from Little Spice Jar
More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes from Kitchn
What’s your favorite pasta salad recipe?