Pesto Pasta Salad

 

My card social is Friday night and we all bring a little dish to share.  I am going to bring this delicious Pesto Pasta Salad.  Bon Appetit! 

Ingredients

• 4 cups uncooked spiral pasta
• 1 cup basil pesto 
• 2 Tbsp chopped green olives, olive tapenade or Italian Salad Mix
• 1 cup of frozen peas, defrosted
• 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
• Several fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)

Instructions:

Cook pasta according to instructions on the package. Make sure the water is salted (at least a half teaspoon per quart). Remove pasta from heat and strain when pasta is cooked, but still firm (al dente).

Put pasta in a big bowl. Mix in basil pesto, green olives/olive tapenade/Italian Salad Mix. Add pine nuts (optional).

Gently mix in cherry tomatoes, peas, fresh basil leaves and olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Chill or serve at room temperature.

Serves 6-8.