Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad

Bright, zesty, and packed with fresh flavors, this Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Featuring tender rotini pasta tossed with a vibrant homemade cilantro pesto made from fresh cilantro, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and a squeeze of tangy lime juice, this salad bursts with bold, herbaceous notes in every bite. Crisp, colorful additions like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion lend a refreshing crunch, while red pepper flakes add optional heat for spice lovers. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy pasta salad can be served immediately or chilled for a refreshing make-ahead dish perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or as a light lunch. With its unique twist on classic pesto and its stunning use of fresh ingredients, this recipe will delight your taste buds and impress your guests.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Pasta (rotini or bowtie)
• 2 cups Fresh cilantro (stems removed)
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 0.25 cups Pine nuts
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp Fresh lime juice
• 0.5 cups Olive oil
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 Cucumber (diced)
• 0.5 Red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the cilantro pesto. In a food processor, combine fresh cilantro, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic cloves, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until the ingredients form a coarse mixture.

Step 3

Gradually add the olive oil to the food processor while blending on low speed until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.

Step 5

Add the cilantro pesto to the bowl and toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated.

Step 6

Sprinkle with optional red pepper flakes for added heat, if desired.

Step 7

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving for a cool, refreshing pasta salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(527.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	805.4

Total Fat 57.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 95.2mg	0%
Sodium 4185.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 27.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.2g	0%
Total Sugars 9.6g
Protein 53.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1376.8mg	0%
Iron 3.5mg	0%
Potassium 1079.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.4%

Protein: 25.5%

Carbs: 13.2%