How to Make Pesto Pasta Salad

Make a light and fresh pasta salad with pesto and vegetables.

This pasta salad is a creative way to get in your daily vegetable serving. Pasta salad can be a great side dish or main entree, and this recipe is excellent for leftovers. Use whole grain pasta to make this pasta salad a little more nutritious. The pasta salad should be mixed as close to the serving time as possible.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 pound penne pasta
• 1 zucchini
• 1 yellow squash
• 1 red onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 10 grape tomatoes
• 5 asparagus spears
• 1 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. When it is al dente, drain the water and allow the noodles to cool. Drizzle with olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking.

2. Cut the vegetables into large pieces. Rub with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables, keeping them underdone so they don't get mushy. Cool in the refrigerator.

3. Cut the vegetables into smaller pieces after they have cooled.

4. Mix all of the ingredients and then season to taste with salt and pepper.

Tips & Warnings

• The pasta salad should be mixed as soon to the serving time as possible.