Savory Sweet Life

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For the love of Pagliacci: Pesto Salad Pasta Recipe

Last update: By 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!

Comments

  1. Yay! So excited to try this! I am a huge fan of this pasta/pesto salad! I drive the Bell Square Paglicacci’s staff crazy by asking them to also add an some fresh mozzarella slices… They never know how to charge me for the ‘extra’ :S

  3. I worked at Pagliacci’s for years and I think you nailed it. I also like the mayo + pesto mix for dipping the breadsticks, believe it or not. Simply awesome.

  4. I am planning to make this for our get together on the 4th. It is appealing to the eye and the palate. I can’t wait to make it!!

  5. Hi Lisa,
    Yes, you can omit them entirely or substitute with anything you like. I’ve omitted the peas and substituted with sun dried tomatoes.

  8. I made this salad to accompany my mom’s famous teriyaki burgers for a small family barbecue recently. So delicious!!! I love all your recipes!

  12. Yum! I love everything in this salad and putting them all together looks so delicious. Wonderful salad.

  14. This looks beautiful! I love both pesto and peas and this sounds like a great combo of this.

  15. Ha! I too have been eating this salad for about 15 years, I LOVE it. Wouldn’t you know I have a bag of peas in my freezer I was just this minute trying to figure out what to do with!

  16. How delicious does this look! I’m going to make this for my other half. He will totally love it:)

  18. Can pasta salad be dreamy? After reading this recipe and ogling your photos, I know it’s possible.

  19. Lucky me I made pesto and found your pasta salad idea on the same day! Perfect for dinner on a hot night. Thanks!

  24. That looks really, really good right now! I wish I had some for lunch today!

  25. This salad sounds delicious and refreshing – a great summer dish!

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