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Simmerandsage » Recipes » Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad

Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad

June 17, 2021

By simmerandsagePublished: June 17th, 2021Updated: September 15th, 2022
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Servings: 4-8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Jump to Recipe↡

Summer’s here, school is out and the basil is growing tall in the garden. So that means Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad! From the time they were little babies, both of my kids have always been a big fat yes to pesto pasta. It never fails! And this pasta salad is a celebration of all of our favorite things, making everyone happy and full.

Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad with corn, mozzarella cheese and tomatoes

Making the BEST Pesto Sauce

It starts with the pesto. If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that my Bubby’s pesto sauce is the sauce of my youth, the sauce my college roommates asked me to make most often, and one of first things my kids ever ate.

It’s got a short list of simple ingredients that all get thrown into a blender. Really could not be easier:

  • fresh basil
  • Parmesan cheese
  • garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • pine nuts (optional, but delicious)
  • salt and pepper

You need 2 cups of fresh basil to make enough pesto sauce for a pound of pasta. So if you’re growing basil, you may be able to double or even triple the recipe from time to time.

bowtie pasta salad in a bowl, garnished with fresh basil and tomatoes

Pesto sauce will keep for a long time in the fridge and forever in the freezer. Use it as a marinade, or brush it onto grilled fish, veggies and meats after they’re cooked. Add a spoonful to any other pasta sauce you’re making and watch it go from good to great.

What’s in this Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad

Speaking of good to great, this Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad gets a summer twist with a few simple and seasonal ingredients:

  • bowtie pasta (Mini Me’s favorite)
  • mozzarella pearls (The Prince’s favorite)
  • sweet summer corn
  • ripe grape tomatoes

If you’re growing basil, tomatoes or even corn, this recipe will give you a great opportunity to use what you’re growing.

Sideways view of pesto pasta salad with fresh tomatoes and corn

Should pesto pasta be served warm or cold?

Pesto pasta is just as good cold as it is warm! Bring this Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad as a side dish to the next barbecue you’re invited to and watch it disappear. And although the title does say pasta salad, we sometimes like to enjoy it as a light vegetarian main course, either warm or cold, with a loaf of crusty bread.

There’s only one real problem, and it’s that there are never any leftovers. See for yourself, and let me know if you make it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!

For more pesto recipes, try these:

  • Sun-Dried Tomato & Pesto Torte
  • Sausage & Pesto Calzone
  • Polenta Rounds with Pesto Chicken & Roasted Red Peppers

For more summer pasta recipes, try these:

  • Crab & Corn Pasta with Sherry Cream Sauce
  • Bistro Pasta Salad
  • Flaky Salmon & Dill Pasta
IMG 0709 | Simmer & Sage

Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad

Herby basil pesto sauce, sweet summer corn, juicy tomatoes and mozzarella cheese
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. farfalle pasta
  • 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. pine nuts
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 ears of corn
  • 2 cups mozzarella pearls
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup sundried tomatoes chopped

Instructions
 

  • Boil and drain the pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and set aside.
  • In a blender, puree the basil, Parmesan, garlic, pine nuts, salt, pepper and olive oil until smooth.
  • Grill or boil the corn. If boiling, set the corn into a large pot of cold water. Bring just to a boil, then remove from heat. Using a sharp knife, shave the kernels off the cobs and discard.
  • Toss the pasta with the pesto sauce. Fold in the remaining ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Keyword vegetarian, meatless, Italian
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Filed Under: Main Dish Recipes, Recipes, Side Dish Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Christina DavesChristina Daves says

    May 1, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    This is delicious! Since I had leftover pine nuts, I toasted the rest (about 1/2 cup) and tossed that in for some crunch.

    Reply
    • Avatar for simmerandsagesimmerandsage says

      August 11, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      Toasted pine nuts are a great add! Thanks for making it!

      Reply
  2. Avatar for CharChar says

    June 25, 2022 at 10:02 am

    5 stars
    I made this summer pasta salad for a picnic and it was amazing and delicious! Perfect side dish for this season 🌽

    Reply
    • Avatar for simmerandsagesimmerandsage says

      August 11, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      I’m so glad you made this and loved it!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Jackie.

Jackie

I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember. To me, food is art, food is life and food is love. A delicious meal, lovingly prepared, is a wonderful gift to give. I love eating out, engaging with chefs and sharing in their excitement about what they’ve created.

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