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Basil Avocado Pesto Vegetable Pasta Salad

Basil Avocado Pesto Vegetable Pasta Salad

Well hello there. Happy Friday (or whatever day you are reading this)!

Today’s recipe is a simple and easy pasta salad that’s full of delicious, flavourful, fresh vegetables in the form of crunchy, sweet bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, buttery avocado, and mildly spicy red onions!

Combine it with a homemade creamy basil avocado pesto, which is so herbaceous, bright, and rich in flavour. Toss in some salty, tangy feta cheese with the cold pasta and you’ve got such a yummy dish!

I used a tricoloured bowtie (farfalle) pasta, but a rotini, penne, or macaroni (okay, whatever you want) would be a great alternative pasta shape. I also used bowtie pasta for my last pasta salad recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad with Homemade Tangy Italian Vinaigrette (link).

I love that this recipe is so adaptable and scalable such that you can make more or less and with the vegetables you have on hand that you think will go well in this pasta salad.

Basically, it’s a super tasty vegetarian side dish (remove the cheese and it’s vegan) that is perfect for a summer cookout or even as a filling meal! Leftovers the next day are amazing!

Plus you don’t need to turn on the oven, which is awesome for those hot summer days where you don’t want to heat up the house. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Fresh basil, avocado, walnuts, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor.

Using a food processor or a blender, blend up the pesto ingredients.

Creamy fresh basil avocado pesto in a food processor.

Creamy fresh basil avocado pesto!

Feta cheese, red onion, avocado, red bell pepper, and grape tomatoes.

As the pasta cooks, chop up and measure out your vegetables and feta cheese.

Chopped avocado, tomatoes, red onions, bell pepper, feta, and farfalle pasta in a large bowl.

Run the cooked pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and then place the ingredients in a large bowl.

Overhead view of Basil avocado pesto vegetable pasta salad in a large white bowl.

Top it with the pesto and toss to combine!

Serve it right away or cover and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.Enjoy!

Overhead view of basil avocado pesto vegetable pasta salad in a large bowl and a small bowl.
Basil Avocado Pesto Vegetable Pasta Salad

Basil Avocado Pesto Vegetable Pasta Salad

Yield: 6-8 as a side dish
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

A delicious vegetarian pasta salad is combined with a homemade basil avocado pesto to create a super flavourful, quick, and easy to assemble side dish or meal! Serve it at your next get-together!

Ingredients

For the pesto:

  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • ½ ripe avocado
  • 1 garlic clove
  • ¼ cup walnuts (or pine nuts)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the pasta salad:

  • 4 cups (8 oz.) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
  • 1½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large (1½ cup) bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ ripe avocado, chopped
  • ¾ cup red onions, diced
  • ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Using a food processor (or blender), add the pesto ingredients. Pulse several times allowing the ingredients to break down into a uniform sauce (you may need to scrape down the sides with a spatula). Set aside.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water, until pasta is cooled*.
  3. As the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables and cheese. In a large bowl, add the pasta salad ingredients and pesto together. Toss to combine. Salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

  • *Running the pasta under cold water helps remove residual starch and stops the cooking process. I like to cook the pasta al dente. It should hold its shape when mixed with the other ingredients.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 312

Sharing is caring!

Thao @ In Good Flavor

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

This pasta salad looks so good! I love the sound of the basil avocado pesto! I would be completely happy having this as a meal.

Marie | Yay! For Food

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

Thank you Thao!

Sue Moran

Friday 21st of July 2017

The colors in this pasta salad are so gorgeous ~ and how is it that I've never had avocado pesto? This is genius.

Marie | Yay! For Food

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

You need to try it! Thanks Sue!

Beth

Friday 21st of July 2017

This salad sounds so amazing! My new favorite food is pesto and this basil avocado sounds perfect!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

It is really tasty! Thanks Beth!

Matt @ Plating Pixels

Friday 21st of July 2017

Yummy! Perfect potluck recipe, and that pesto would be great on almost anything.

Marie | Yay! For Food

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

I love the versatility of pesto! Thanks Matt!

Ayngelina

Friday 21st of July 2017

I love that it is pasta salad season, my balcony basil needs this recipe!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Saturday 22nd of July 2017

For sure! We have a bunch of fresh basil too and it's perfect for this pasta salad!

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