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Basil Pesto Pasta Salad

The trick to making the best pesto pasta salad is adding a little lemon juice. Finely cut basil and spinach for a hit of green. Parmesan both grated and shavings and some lightly toasted pine nuts to finish the whole thing off. So so good!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 400 g pasta, we used farfalle
  • 100-150 g fresh basil pesto, either homemade or in the fresh tub at the supermarket
  • 1 large bunch of fresh basil
  • 60 g pine nuts
  • Large handful of fresh baby spinach
  • Parmesan, to taste
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

Instructions 

  • Get a large pot of salted water on to boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions then drain, rinse with cold water and leave to cool and drain further. In dry frying pan over medium heat, gently toast the pine nuts until turning golden. Shake the pan frequently to avoid scorching on one side.
  • Finely chop the spinach and basil. Grate lots of parmesan.
  • Once the pasta is cooled, add to a bowl with the spinach, basil, parmesan and pine nuts. Add the juice of half a lemon, more salt and pepper and toss well.

Notes

Use our homemade pesto recipe if you need.


Recipe Reel Here

About Margie Nomura

With over ten years of experience as a professional chef, I'm passionate about sharing simple recipes anyone can make at home

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