Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
Focus on relaxing and mingling at your potluck parties with this easy Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad. Healthy and hearty, it is full of peppers, tomatoes, and more.
Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 242kcal
Ingredients
For the salad:
- ½ pound gluten-free pasta of choice elbows or spirals work best
- 1 medium red or green bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 small red onion diced
- 3 medium celery stalks diced
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1/3 cup not packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
For the dressing:
- 1 12 ounce package firm silken tofu (such as Mori Nu)
- 1½ ounces fresh basil leaves 50-60 leaves
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves not packed
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fine sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the salad:
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Rinse well and drain. Place into a large bowl with the chopped pepper, onion, celery, tomatoes, and cilantro. Toss to combine.
Make the dressing:
- Place all dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour about 2/3 of the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat. Add more dressing if a creamier pasta salad is desired. (Save any extra dressing in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Use as a dip, over more pasta, or as a spread for wraps or sandwiches.)
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 242
Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 39mg2%
Potassium 259mg7%
Carbohydrates 36g12%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1100IU22%
Vitamin C 29.2mg35%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
Have you tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and let us know your thoughts in the Ratings & Reviews section below.
