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For the love of Pagliacci: Pesto Salad Pasta Recipe

Last update: July 19, 2016 By Alice Currah 34 Comments

paglicaccipestosalad
One of my favorite pasta salads to make and eat is a cold pesto penne pasta filled with sweet peas and artichoke hearts in a creamy pesto dressing.  Each time I prepare this salad it brings me back to when I was in 7th grade and my friends and I would go to Seattle’s famous Paglicacci’s pizza on University Avenue. I would order a slice of cheese pizza, a small pesto salad, and a diet coke.  For over 20 years I have loved Paglicacci’s pesto pasta salad and relish it when we make it at home.  This salad is incredibly easy and simple to make.  The basil pesto dressing magically transforms this pasta salad into the perfect side dish or a meal of its own.  Either way I think you’ll agree this pesto pasta salad is perfect in it’s simple glory.  Enjoy!

Pesto Salad Pasta Recipe

Serves 6

Ingredients:

16 oz box (1 lb) of penne pasta

1 cup of homemade pesto or store bought.

1/2 cup of mayonnaise

1 cup of frozen sweet peas

16 oz can artichoke hearts, quartered

*Optional: 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

creamy-pesto-dressing

Directions:

In a small bowl mix pesto sauce and mayonnaise together and set aside.

Prepare penne pasta according to package instructions to al dente.  Drain pasta well and toss  in a large bowl.  Add frozen peas to pasta and toss with pesto dressing until everything is well mixed and coated.

peaspenne

Gently fold in artichoke hearts and allow the salad to cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese prior to serving. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Pasta Tagged With: basil, Pasta, salad

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Comments

  1. Sharron Biccum says

    June 8, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    Mozza pearls and Grana Padang shredded great addition

  2. Alice Currah says

    August 27, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    Use can easily omit the mayonnaise but you will lack the creaminess and tang which comes from mayonnaise.

  3. ELISABETTA says

    August 27, 2013 at 4:21 am

    Just curious, why the mayonnaise? We do not have mayonnaise in Italy, error, yes they do, but for the vacationers. Pasta salad is an American invention, which is now popular in Italy, but they don’t use mayonnaise. Just curious. I am going to make this for a get together in September, but I’m not using mayonnaise…

  4. Emily says

    November 18, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    It says your site is only approved to certain people. Would have loved to check it out!

  5. Karrie says

    September 15, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    I love making this salad and taking it to a potluck!

  6. Hector Bausman says

    March 29, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    I need simple, easy and cheap recipes thanks!! got 2 cans of canned white chicken and i wanna make a pasta salad with {macaroni pasta} for my boyfriends lunch to take to work…..
    macaroni pasta

  7. Cherie says

    March 25, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    Great salad! I love Pagliacci”s. I substituted plain greek yogurt for the mayonnaise and it was delish! Thanks so much.

  8. Stephanie says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    This sounds delicious! Would really like to make it, but don’t like mayonnaise. Can I substitute anything or will it turn out okay if I leave it out? Thanks!

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Hi, and welcome to Savory Sweet Life. I am so glad you are here! My name is Alice Currah and you'll find easy delicious recipes to feed your family and other useful tips for everyday living. Continue reading more about Alice....

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