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

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Author: Brittany Poulson
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: ~6 cups
Category: side dish
Method: Stove top
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Pesto Pasta Salad with asparagus is a flavorful, healthy side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks or other family gatherings!

Ingredients

Units Scale

3 cups (8 oz) uncooked (dry) whole wheat medium shells pasta
20 medium stalks asparagus, trimmed and cut into ~2-inch pieces
3/4 cup pesto
1/2 cup drained and chopped oil packed sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup (1 oz) shredded parmesan cheese
salt & pepper, to taste

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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: 1/2 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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Brittany

I'm a registered dietitian nutritionist and mom of four with a passion of helping families build confidence in the kitchen. I share family friendly recipes and helpful tips to help you navigate mealtime one bite at a time.

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