Pasta Salad With Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Recipes

PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
• For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.
• Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and basil, and toss well.

PENNE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are finely chopped. Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the Parmesan.
• Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.

DOUBLE-TOMATO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Holding back the sun-dried tomatoes with your fingers, drain the oil from the jar into a large pot. Coarsely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and add them to the pot, along with the nuts and olive oil. Set over medium-low and cook, stirring often, until the nuts are toasted, 5 to 6 minutes. Scrape into a large bowl (reserve the pot), then stir in the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Fill the reserved pot with water (no need to wash) and bring to a boil. Season water with salt, add the pasta and cook until just past al dente. (The pasta will not cook further in the sauce.) Drain the pasta.
• While the water is coming to a boil, coarsely chop the ripe tomatoes. Add to the sun-dried tomato mixture, season with 1 teaspoon salt and stir to combine. (Tomato mixture can be made up to 2 hours ahead.)
• Add the drained pasta to the tomato mixture and stir to combine. Let sit until room temperature, about 15 minutes or up to 2 hours. Pasta salad will keep up to 3 days if refrigerated.
• When ready to eat, taste the pasta salad. If flavors are muted, add salt and lemon juice or red wine vinegar. If it's too sweet, add black pepper and lemon juice or red wine vinegar. Stir in the greens and eat.

PASTA SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Steps:

• Pesto: Lightly toast the pine nuts and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender add the basil, garlic, and parsley. Process until finely chopped.
• Add the pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and salt; process using the PULSE setting until just blended.
• With the appliance running, gradually add the olive oil through the feed tube, processing until a smooth paste is formed.
• Add the sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar of choice, processing until the tomatoes are finely chopped but flecks are still visible.
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups pesto.
• Pasta Salad: Transfer the cooked, chilled pasta to a pretty salad bowl and stir in the pesto sauce, making sure the pasta is generously coated. (You may or may not use up all the pesto sauce.).
• Cover salad bowl and chill the salad up to 6 hours.
• Yield is estimated.

PESTO ASPARAGUS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425˚F/220˚C.
• In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil.
• Remove the woody ends of the asparagus and discard. Cut the remaining spears into quarters and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper over the asparagus and toss so each piece is evenly coated. Bake for 10 minutes.
• In the boiling water, cook the penne for 10-12 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.
• Using a blender or food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil until it becomes a paste. Add in Parmesan and salt and blend.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted asparagus, and pesto (about 3 hefty tablespoons). Toss together and serve hot or cold, and top with Parmesan cheese.
• Enjoy!