Pesto pasta salad

This very simple tasty pesto pasta salad is so easy to make and can be made ahead. It’s ideal for lunches, picnics and even as a side dish for a BBQ.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Colander

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g dried pasta
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp green pesto
  • 3 tbsp light mayonnaise
  • 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 pepper, red or yellow, deseeded and finely sliced
  • cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • pitted olives, drained and halved
  • pickled gherkins, sliced
  • 1 mozzarella ball, cut into small chunks

Instructions
 

  • Cook your pasta according the packets instructions.  When cooked, drain in a colander, rinse under cold water and allow to drain completely
  • Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and add the olive oil, pesto, pinch of salt and pepper and mix together
  • Add the mayonnaise, onion, tomatoes, olives, peppers, gherkins and mozzarella.  Mix together to ensure all is covered and season to taste.