Pesto Pasta Salad

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 cup packed basil leaves
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 lb rotini pasta
• 1/3 cup roasted red pepper, strips chopped
• 1/3 cup sliced black olives
• 1/3 cup red onion, chopped
• 2 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Recipe

• 1 boil a large pot of water over high heat. when the water reaches a boil, add salt and add pasta.
• 2 cook according to package directions to al dente.
• 3 drain and rinse with cold water.
• 4 transfer to a large bowl.
• 5 combine basil, garlic and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped, slowly stream in olive oil with processor running until uniform.
• 6 stir in cheese and pour over pasta.
• 7 toss to distribute and add red peppers, olives, onions, and mozzarella cheese. mix in crushed red pepper flakes.
• 8 cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes prior to serving.