This Pesto Pasta Salad with asparagus is a flavorful, healthy side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks or other family gatherings!
This month's Recipe ReDux theme is a fun one!
"Ready for Picnics: Picnic Day April 23, so get ready to eat al fresco. Show us the healthy recipes you like to bring on a picnic – or serve outside."
With spring in full swing we have been getting a lot more outside time at my house. My kids love to play outside, so why not take our meals outside, too?! Picnics are a great way to enjoy the fresh outdoors and some good food at the same time!
I decided to share a side dish that is perfect for picnics, potlucks, BBQ's or other gatherings with family and friends - Pesto Pasta Salad! Pasta salads are a classic side dish at many outdoor celebrations, and I wanted to throw in some spring inspiration with this pesto pasta salad recipe. Instead of a creamy or mayonnaise-based sauce to flavor the salad, I am using my easy basil pesto recipe. It's a great flavor-enhancer and a healthier choice compared to the mayo.
Easy side dish alert! Make this Pesto Pasta Salad with asparagus for your next outdoor party! Share on X
I added in fresh asparagus (my FAVE spring veggie), slightly cooked utilizing the same water the pasta cooks in, easy basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper and That's pretty much it! Such a simple recipe to toss together and did I mention it's delicious, too! I use whole wheat pasta to up the fiber and nutrient content and also adds a bit in the flavor department, too, in my opinion. This really is a healthy, tasty side dish perfect for a picnic!
Pesto Pasta Salad
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: ~6 cups
- Category: side dish
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Pesto Pasta Salad with asparagus is a flavorful, healthy side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks or other family gatherings!
Ingredients
- 3 cups (8 oz) uncooked (dry) whole wheat medium shells pasta
- 20 medium stalks asparagus, trimmed and cut into ~2-inch pieces
- ¾ cup pesto
- ½ cup drained and chopped oil packed sun dried tomatoes
- ¼ cup (1 oz) shredded parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, adding in the asparagus for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking/boiling time. Drain and rinse with cold water until the asparagus and pasta is cooled, then transfer to a large bowl.
- Stir in the pesto, sun dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper according to taste. Serve chilled. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 215 mg
- Fat: 8.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2.6 g
- Protein: 4.7 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
Head on over to The Recipe ReDux to see all the other picnic-tastic recipes!
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Meredith says
Sun dried tomatoes, pesto and asparagus are three of my favorite flavors... but I have never thought to combine them in a pasta salad. YUM!! Pinning to try very soon!!!
Brittany says
They go GREAT together! Definitely give it a try them let me know how it turned out for you!
Megan & Carlie says
Love the flavor combinations. Will be trying!
Betsy says
This looks great. I'm not a huge sun dried tomato person, I feel like I could probably eliminate them from this recipe and it would still be fabulous right?
Brittany says
If you don't like sun dried tomatoes and still like different varieties of tomatoes, you could swap in a fresh diced tomato. Or simply omitting would still leave you with a fab salad!
Kristen says
oh my gosh, this looks great. I love pesto and I LOVE pasta salad! Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to have a BBQ and make this!
Simone Hjulmand says
I need to try this! Thank you for the recipe!
Amanda | Maple Alps says
I love all kinds of pasta salad! This looks tasty indeed!
Ciera Chang says
This pasta looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to test it out!!
Cat says
Mmmm, this pesto pasta salad looks so good!!! Need to try it!
Ashley Spang says
I've been totally obsessed over asparagus recently, and this looks like a great, fresh spring idea! I pinned this, it's probably what's for lunch tomorrow. 😉 Thanks!
adriana says
This looks absolutely delicious! I love pasta salad recipes so much, especially for summer entertaining!
Dominique says
I'm so trying this. Pesto is my favourite!!
Kat Fox says
Mmm. This looks delicious! I'm so hungry now!