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
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.
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!
Natasha says
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
Michaela says
I made this last weekend and LOVED it! So creamy, refreshing, and versatile too.
I posted about it here:
http://thisistolove.blogspot.com/2011/07/pesto-pasta-salad.html
thanks for the great recipe, I will be making it again and again!
John says
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.
Katrina says
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!!
alice says
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.
Lisa says
I hate peas!! Can I subsutute anything or leave them out??
Leah says
I made this last night and it is delicious! Just had it for lunch, too. Yummy.
Kiyomi says
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!
EAM says
Can you make this the night before or does it get too mushy?
Matthew C. Kriner says
really enjoyed reading this
Shu Puls says
Great blog and post, keep it up i will be subscribing to your feed!
Jamie says
Yum! I love everything in this salad and putting them all together looks so delicious. Wonderful salad.
Jen @ MaplenCornbread says
Now that is my kind of pasta salad!! I love all things pesto but in this cold salad just kicks it up a level 🙂 I cant wait to try this!!!
Sara says
This looks beautiful! I love both pesto and peas and this sounds like a great combo of this.
Dana says
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!
Nutmeg Nanny says
How delicious does this look! I’m going to make this for my other half. He will totally love it:)
Christine Medifast says
Such a delicious recipe. This is something I could eat everyday.
Jennifer says
Can pasta salad be dreamy? After reading this recipe and ogling your photos, I know it’s possible.
curiousdomestic says
Lucky me I made pesto and found your pasta salad idea on the same day! Perfect for dinner on a hot night. Thanks!
Jeena says
This looks fantastic I love every single flavour, picture is very tasty looking.
Ginny says
delicious and summery! I’ll have some thanks! 🙂
jenn says
This is definitely a keeper. I love pesto and pasta. What better day to have the two in a salad way.
Parita says
Pasta salad looks hearty and fulfilling, delicious! love the color!
oneshotbeyond says
That looks really, really good right now! I wish I had some for lunch today!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
This salad sounds delicious and refreshing – a great summer dish!