A zesty and fresh Pesto Pasta Salad made from pasta, peas, spring onion, cherry tomatoes and zingy lemon. All of these beautiful ingredients coated in a creamy pesto dressing. A wonderful pasta salad to share.
The beautiful flavours in this Spring Pesto Pasta Salad hit all the right notes. Zesty lemon combined with sweet cherry tomatoes and a creamy pesto dressing make this easy pasta dish come to life!
This tasty and pretty salad would make a wonderful addition to your Christmas Day spread. Or would make for an easy mid-week meal or lunch prep.
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Ingredient notes:
- Pesto Dip: I used a tub of Lisa's Pesto Dip for this recipe. However any other type of pesto dip would work well! Pesto dips are cheaper than buying straight pesto but feel free to just use pesto if you have it to hand. Bearing in mind, you will only need ½ a cup of pesto to replace the pesto dip.
- Pasta: As always, feel free to use your favourite type of pasta in this salad.
- Peas: The beauty of this recipe is that the peas cook from frozen in the pasta! No need to defrost or cook separately.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card for the ingredients, quantities and the full method.
Step by step instructions:
Cook pasta in a large pot according to packet instructions until al dente. Add the frozen peas for the last minute of the cook time to heat through. Drain and set aside while you prep the dressing.
In a large bowl whisk together the mayo, Pesto Dip and lemon juice until combined. Add the cooked pasta and peas then stir to coat in the dressing.
Add the tomatoes, spring onion and lemon zest then mix again. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Serve while warm or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs:
Of course! I have a great recipe on my website for Homemade Cashew Pesto.
Short cut pasta is best for a pasta salad; macaroni, spirals, bow ties, penne etc.
Storage:
Store any leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Related Recipes:
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Spring Pesto Pasta Salad
A tasty pasta salad made from spiral pasta, pesto dressing, cherry tomatoes, spring onion, frozen peas and basil.
Ingredients
- 500g pasta spirals
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ½ cup lite mayonnaise
- 1 x 135g Lisa’s Pesto Dip - Basil Cashew & Parmesan
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 spring onion, finely sliced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fresh basil leaves, to garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot according to packet instructions until al dente. Add the frozen peas for the last minute of the cook time to heat through. Drain and set aside while you prep the dressing.
- In a large bowl whisk together the mayo, Pesto Dip and lemon juice until combined. Add the cooked pasta and peas then stir to coat in the dressing.
- Add the tomatoes, spring onion and lemon zest then mix again. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Serve while warm or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- Tasty additions or swaps include: feta, cucumber, boiled eggs, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capsicum, corn, red onion or green beans.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 356Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 385mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 10g
Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.
Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya
Liesl says
Any suggestions to replace the pesto if kids don't like pesto? Mayo seems like it might work.... but any further ideas?
VJ cooks says
You can leave it out if you prefer. I also have a great pasta salad for kids here - https://vjcooks.com/kids-pasta-salad/
Mikayla says
Could this be made the day before?
VJ cooks says
Sure thing. I would add the tomatoes and basil just before serving though.
Sharee says
Hi, is it ok not to add lemon juice or rind? As I don't have any lemons.
VJ cooks says
It will still work, the salad will just be less flavoursome.
Katy says
This was great thanks! I made it look really festive for Christmas by arranging cherry tomatoes, feta, green olives and basil across the top. My family loved it and asked for the recipe.
VJ cooks says
Amazing. Thanks so much for the feedback, Katy 🙂
Anna says
Can you use sour cream instead of mayo? Thanks
VJ cooks says
Yes that would be fine.