Penne Pasta Salad

Wholesome and delicious classic pasta salad made with creamy pesto dressing and roasted tomatoes. Made with just 9 ingredients in 30 minutes! The perfect quick + easy side dish.

Author: Minimalist Baker
Recipe type: Side
Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten Free
Serves: 6

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Ingredients

PASTA SALAD

• 2 cups (300 g) cherry/baby tomatoes, halved
• 12 ounces whole grain or gluten free penne pasta (I love Bionaturea Gluten Free Penne)

PESTO

• 2 cups semi-packed (~120 g), fresh basil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (2 Tbsp or 12 g)
• 1/4 cup (33 g) toasted pine nuts, plus more for serving (or sub raw walnuts)
• 1 lemon, juiced (~3 Tbsp or 45 ml)
• 1/4 cup (20 g) vegan parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• Pinch sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil (extra virgin is best), plus more for pasta

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Add tomatoes to the baking sheet and drizzle with a little oil and a pinch each salt and pepper. Arrange cut side up and roast for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom and slightly shriveled. Set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt. Once boiling add pasta of choice and cook according to package instructions. Then drain and set aside. Drizzle with a little olive oil and toss to prevent sticking.
4. Make pesto by adding basil, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, vegan parmesan cheese and salt to a food processor and blending to combine. Stream in the olive oil until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides as needed. If too dry, add a little water. It should be thick but pourable (see first photo).
5. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more lemon juice for acidity, vegan parmesan cheese for cheesiness, salt for saltiness, or garlic for bite/spice. Set aside.
6. Add cooked pasta and roasted tomatoes to a mixing/serving bowl and top with pesto. Toss to combine and enjoy immediately. Garnish with extra vegan parmesan cheese and/or fresh parsley or basil (optional).
7. Best when fresh, though leftovers keep in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Enjoy at room temperature for best flavor/texture.

Notes

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 6 servings calculated with whole grain penne and all of the pesto and tomatoes, but no additional toppings.
*Pesto adapted from my Vegan Pesto Parmesan Breadsticks.

Nutrition Information