This Easy Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is a colorful dish full of flavorful ingredients. You get delicious pasta, bright peas, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes—all coated in creamy pesto!
If you’re like me, you’ll love how quickly this dish comes together. It’s perfect for lunch or a side at a picnic. Just toss everything together, and you’re all set! 🍝💚
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pasta: Fusilli is great for this salad because its spirals hold onto the dressing well. However, any pasta shape like rotini, penne, or even gluten-free pasta can work just as nicely. Choose what you have on hand!
Frozen Peas: These add a pop of color and sweetness. If you’re out of frozen peas, you could use fresh peas, but just blanch them quickly in boiling water first. You can also try green beans or even edamame for a different twist.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These are key for a robust flavor. If you don’t have them, you can use diced fresh tomatoes or roasted red peppers. Each will bring a different taste to the salad, so feel free to experiment!
Pesto: Store-bought pesto saves time, but homemade is more flavorful. If you’re looking for a different flavor profile, try using spinach or arugula pesto. Nut-free options like herb blends work too!
Cream Cheese: It makes the dressing creamy! You can swap it with Greek yogurt for a lighter version or use ricotta for a different texture. Softened cashew cream is a great dairy-free alternative.
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Creamy Pesto Dressing?
The creamy pesto dressing is what makes this salad special, and it’s really easy to prepare! Start by mixing the pesto with cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Parmesan in a bowl.
- Use softened cream cheese to prevent lumps. Leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using.
- Mix these ingredients with a whisk or fork until smooth. If it’s too thick, a splash of milk or pasta cooking water can help thin it out.
By blending well, you’ll ensure that every piece of pasta gets coated beautifully. Adjust if needed, adding more pesto for flavor or some salt to taste!
Easy Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad With Peas And Sun-dried Tomatoes
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces pasta (any type, preferably fusilli)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
For the Creamy Dressing:
- 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Seasoning:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time. You’ll need to refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, so plan for about an hour total for chilling. It’s a quick and easy dish to prepare!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente (cooked but still firm). Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down quickly. This also helps stop the cooking process.
2. Make the Creamy Pesto Dressing:
While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the creamy pesto dressing. In a mixing bowl, combine the pesto, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and grated Parmesan cheese. Use a fork or a whisk to mix everything together until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. Combine the Salad Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, frozen peas, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. These ingredients add color, texture, and flavor to your salad!
4. Dress the Salad:
Now, pour the creamy pesto dressing over the pasta salad mixture. Use a spatula or spoon to mix everything thoroughly, ensuring that all the delicious ingredients are well-coated in the dressing.
5. Season and Chill:
Season your pasta salad with salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking! Once everything is mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time helps all the flavors meld beautifully.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
When you’re ready to serve, take the salad out of the fridge. It’s nice served chilled. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if you want to add a pop of color. Enjoy your delicious creamy pesto pasta salad!
Can I Use Different Types of Pasta?
Absolutely! While fusilli works great for this recipe, you can substitute it with any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne, rotini, or bow ties. Just cook according to package instructions until al dente, and remember to rinse with cold water to cool it down!
How Can I Substitute for Cream Cheese?
If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, you can use sour cream, Greek yogurt, or even ricotta cheese as a substitute. These alternatives will still provide creaminess, but may slightly change the flavor. Just mix it in the same way as you would with cream cheese!
What If I Don’t Have Sun-dried Tomatoes?
No worries! You can substitute sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers, fresh cherry tomatoes, or even olives for a different flavor profile. Just chop them up and mix them into the salad as you would the sun-dried tomatoes!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta salad may thicken in the fridge; if that happens, just add a splash of water or a little extra mayonnaise to loosen it up before serving again!
