Pesto pasta salad is a fresh and flavorful dish that is perfect for summertime or any time of the year. It typically includes cooked pasta, such as fusilli or penne, mixed with pesto sauce, which is made from fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese.
To make the salad, the pasta is cooked until al dente and then cooled. Then, the pesto sauce is mixed with the pasta along with other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, olives, and fresh mozzarella cheese. The mixture is then tossed together to combine all the flavors.
The dish is typically served chilled or at room temperature and can be garnished with fresh basil leaves or Parmesan cheese. It makes for a perfect side dish or can be a satisfying and healthy main course. It can also be customized by adding grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.