Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad

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This cold pesto pasta salad will cool you off on a summer day. Fresh tomatoes and roasted red peppers add a pop of bright color and juiciness here, but any of your favorite pasta-salad veggies, like blanched broccoli and fresh bell peppers, would be delicious too.

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Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 cups
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound whole-wheat penne or rotini pasta

  • 2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

  • ½ cup lightly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 clove garlic, grated

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ¼ tablespoon ground pepper

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium tomato, chopped

  • ½ cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers, rinsed

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

  2. Meanwhile, combine basil, parsley, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse, scraping down the sides as necessary, until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil.

  3. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and add the pasta, tomato and peppers. Toss to coat. Top with more basil, if desired.

Tips

To make ahead: Refrigerate pesto (Step 2) for up to 1 day.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (25% daily value).

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, July / August 2020

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

417 Calories
22g Fat
47g Carbs
11g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 417
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 47g 17%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 11g 23%
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Vitamin A 1270IU 25%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Folate 62mcg 16%
Sodium 472mg 21%
Calcium 97mg 7%
Iron 3mg 17%
Magnesium 97mg 23%
Potassium 380mg 8%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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