Pesto Pasta Picnic Salad

A refreshing and flavorful picnic salad that's perfect for summer gatherings. The gluten-free pasta provides a sturdy base for the bright and tangy pesto, while the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and bell pepper add a pop of color and a burst of flavor. The red onion and parsley add a bit of crunch and freshness, and the salt and pepper to taste allow you to customize the salad to your liking. This salad is easy to make ahead of time and can be served chilled or at room temperature.

This recipe was born on a hot summer day when I was looking for a way to use up some leftover pesto. I had some gluten-free pasta in the pantry, and the rest is history. This salad is now a staple in my summer repertoire, and I love to serve it at picnics, potlucks, and barbecues. It's always a crowd-pleaser, and it's even better the next day.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 10 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound gluten-free pasta
• 1/2 cup prepared pesto
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup olives, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
2. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, red onion, bell pepper, and parsley.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Toss to combine.
6. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Why It Works

• The gluten-free pasta provides a sturdy base for the salad, and it holds up well to the dressing.
• The pesto is bright and tangy, and it adds a lot of flavor to the salad.
• The sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and bell pepper add a pop of color and a burst of flavor.
• The red onion and parsley add a bit of crunch and freshness.
• The salt and pepper to taste allow you to customize the salad to your liking.