Zesty Ina Garten Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe for Sunny Days

Bursting with Mediterranean magic, pesto pasta salad electrifies summer gatherings like a culinary firework.

Emerald-hued herbs and toasted pine nuts weave an enchanting flavor tapestry through each vibrant forkful.

Crisp vegetables and silky sauce elevate basic pasta into a gourmet sensation.

Creamy textures and zesty undertones promise a palate-pleasing adventure for everyone at the table.

Novice and seasoned cooks alike will celebrate this effortless yet sophisticated dish.

Fresh ingredients transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary sensory experience.

Let this tantalizing pesto pasta salad become your new summer signature, your taste buds will thank you!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 740 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Pesto Pasta Salad

• Fusilli: Choose spiral-shaped pasta with ridges that capture sauce beautifully.
• Bow-Tie Pasta: Select firm, high-quality pasta that holds shape after cooking.

• Store-Bought Pesto: Pick vibrant green, fresh-tasting pesto without preservatives.
• Mayonnaise: Select creamy, real egg-based variety for rich texture.
• Spinach: Opt for fresh, crisp leaves without wilting or discoloration.
• Lemon: Choose bright, firm citrus with glossy skin for maximum juice.

• Parmesan Cheese: Select aged, hard cheese with nutty, sharp flavor profile.
• Pine Nuts: Look for golden, whole kernels without dark spots or rancid smell.
• Peas: Pick frozen sweet peas without freezer burn.
• Walnuts: Select whole, crisp nuts with smooth, intact surfaces.
• Garlic: Choose firm bulbs with tight, unblemished skin.
• Basil: Select bright green leaves with intense aromatic quality.

• Salt: Use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Select whole peppercorns for freshly ground spice.

• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin, cold-pressed with grassy, peppery undertones.

Equipment You’ll Need for Pesto Pasta Prep

• Large pots: Perfect for boiling two types of pasta simultaneously.
• Colander: Essential for draining pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining pasta and sauce.
• Food processor: Crucial for blending pesto ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add precise amounts of salt, pepper, and seasonings.
• Cutting board: Great for chopping garlic and preparing additional ingredients.
• Large spoon: Ideal for stirring and mixing pasta salad thoroughly.
• Lemon squeezer: Convenient for extracting fresh lemon juice.
• Grater: Useful for creating fresh Parmesan cheese shreds.

How to Toss the Best Pesto Pasta Salad, Ina Style

• Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook two types of pasta simultaneously in separate pots with salted water. Drain when tender and toss with olive oil, allowing the pasta to cool naturally in a spacious mixing bowl.

• Whip Up Zesty Sauce

Combine store-bought pesto with drained spinach and a splash of lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until silky smooth, then fold in creamy mayonnaise for an extra layer of richness.

• Craft Your Pasta Masterpiece

Gently fold the vibrant green sauce into the cooled pasta. Sprinkle in a handful of sweet green peas, crunchy pine nuts, and a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to awaken the flavors.

• Create Homemade Pesto (Optional)

Pulse walnuts, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor. Add fresh basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Stream in olive oil while blending, then finish with grated Parmesan until the sauce reaches a luxurious, creamy consistency.

• Serve and Savor

Mix all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring every pasta shape is generously coated. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing and satisfying meal that celebrates fresh, vibrant flavors.

Tips to Keep Ina’s Pasta Salad Fresh and Bold

• Boost Pasta Perfection: Quick Cooking Hacks
• Pasta Al Dente Secret: Cook pasta exactly 10-12 minutes to maintain perfect texture. Avoid overcooking by testing pasta firmness during boiling.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: Swap traditional ingredients with exciting alternatives like roasted almonds instead of pine nuts or sun-dried tomatoes for extra tang.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pasta salad 24 hours in advance. Store in refrigerator to allow flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more delicious dish.
• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep pasta salad fresh by storing in airtight container. Drizzle additional olive oil before serving to revive moisture and restore vibrant texture.

Serving Up Pesto Pasta the Ina Garten Way

• Garnish with Green Goodness: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and extra herbal flavor.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Add crumbled feta or extra Parmesan cheese for a creamy, tangy twist that elevates the entire dish.
• Crunch Factor: Toss in some toasted sunflower seeds or crispy breadcrumbs to give the pasta salad an unexpected textural surprise.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad a day in advance to let the flavors meld together, making it perfect for picnics or potlucks.

Refrigerating and Reusing Ina’s Pasta Salad

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Brilliance: Create this pasta salad 1-2 days before serving to let flavors meld beautifully in the refrigerator. The pesto will deepen its taste, making each bite more delicious.
• Smart Container Selection: Store the pasta salad in an airtight glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass containers help preserve freshness and prevent unwanted odors from seeping in.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Keep the pasta salad chilled between 35-40°F to maintain optimal taste and texture. Always use clean utensils when serving to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freshness Window: Consume the pasta salad within 3-4 days for the best quality. After preparation, give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the pesto and revive the pasta's texture.

Vibrant Ina Garten Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s pesto pasta salad brings fresh Mediterranean flavors to classic Italian cuisine. Simple ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a delightful dish perfect for summer gatherings and quick weeknight meals you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ¾ lb (340 g) fusilli pasta
• ¾ lb (340 g) bow tie pasta
• 5 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1 pack (10 oz/283 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and water squeezed out
• 1 ½ cups frozen peas, thawed
• 3 tbsps garlic, chopped (about 9 cloves)
• 1 ½ cups pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
• 1 ½ cups olive oil
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsps lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• ⅓ cup pine nuts
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• ¼ cup walnuts
• ¾ tsp salt
• ¾ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Fill large pot with salted water and bring to rolling boil. Submerge fusilli and bow-tie pasta, cooking until perfectly al dente. Drain thoroughly and transfer to expansive mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, gently coating pasta strands and allowing to cool to room temperature.
2. Pesto Creation: In food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, walnuts, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse briefly to create textured base. Stream extra virgin olive oil while processing, integrating Parmesan cheese until sauce reaches smooth, vibrant consistency. Alternatively, combine pre-made pesto with drained spinach and lemon juice, blending until silky.
3. Flavor Integration: Pour creamy pesto over cooled pasta. Introduce thawed green peas, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Fold ingredients meticulously using robust utensil, ensuring uniform distribution and balanced flavor profile.
4. Final Refinement: Taste and adjust seasoning, ensuring harmonious blend of nutty, herbal, and creamy elements. Transfer to serving dish, garnishing with additional pine nuts or fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve chilled or at ambient temperature for optimal taste experience.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta separately to maintain ideal texture and prevent color bleeding, ensuring each type retains its unique shape and firmness.
• Pesto Pro Tip: Toast pine nuts beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile for the salad.
• Chilling Strategy: Allow pasta to cool completely before mixing with pesto to prevent sauce separation and maintain creamy consistency.
• Flavor Balancing: Taste and adjust seasoning gradually, adding salt and pepper incrementally to achieve a harmonious blend without overwhelming the delicate pesto notes.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 740
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 64 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 50 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg