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Pesto Caprese Macaroni Salad

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When the heat is on, salads are my go to meals. I love the versatility, and ease a pasta or leafy green salad encompasses. With minimal time, you can easily prepare one of my go to pasta salads that eats like a meal. My kids, and husband love my pesto caprese macaroni salad because it is bold, and it contains cheese and garlic.

gluten-free-pesto-caprese-pasta

Glutino Pasta is one of my favorites gluten free varieties.

I don’t know about your family, but anything loaded with cheesy goodness, and flavored with garlic is a must around here! Even my newly turned 2-year-old can agree that mommy’s pesto caprese macaroni salad gets two messy thumbs up.

I think the garden fresh garlic, and basil have a lot to do with it! My husband is an avid gardener who takes his hobby seriously, but I don’t mind because it produces an abundance of herbs, and vegetables that allow me to be creative in the kitchen.

pesto-caprese-pasta-salad

When I make my pesto sauce, I like to store it in a mason jar because it keeps it fresh for up to a week. Gosh, pesto is such a go to for us in the summer. I find myself smearing it on french bread, putting it on grilled pizza, in leafy green salads, and on chicken. I usually make a double batch so that I have plenty to use throughout the week.

Ingredients to make Pesto Caprese Macaroni Salad: 

  • Basil- 5 cups
  • Parmesan Cheese- 3/4 cup
  • Garlic- 4 cloves
  • Lemon Juice- t tablespoon
  • Extra virgin olive oil- 1/2 cup
  • Elbow Macaroni- 1 box
  • Cherry Tomatoes- 1 pint

Directions:

Pesto Caprese Macaroni Salad

  • Boil macaroni elbows until al dente
  • In a food processor, blend cheese, oil, garlic, and basil until pureed.
  • Set pesto in the fridge to chill, and “marinate”.
  • Once pasta is cooked, rinse it will cold water
  • Add your cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and pesto; mix thoroughly.
  • Garnish with extra basil leaves before serving.

This dish tastes best chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours. By chilling the pesto caprese macaroni salad, you allow the pasta and cheese to soak up all the bold flavors of the garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil leaves.

pesto-caprese-pasta-salad
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Pesto Caprese Macaroni Salad

An easy to make summer pasta salad that is loaded with the bold flavors of garlic, basil, and parmesan cheeses. Can be made regular or gluten free.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: pesto
Servings: 6
Calories: 231kcal
Author: Amy

Ingredients

  • 5 cups Basil
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 box Elbow Macaroni
  • 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes

Instructions

Pesto Caprese Macaroni Salad

    Directions:

    • Boil macaroni elbows until al dente
    • In a food processor, blend cheese, oil, garlic, and basil until pureed.
    • Set pesto in the fridge to chill, and "marinate".
    • Once pasta is cooked, rinse it will cold water
    • Add your cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and pesto; mix thoroughly.
    • Garnish with extra basil leaves before serving.
    • This dish tastes best chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours. By chilling the pesto caprese macaroni salad, you allow the pasta and cheese to soak up all the bold flavors of the garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil leaves.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 250mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 30.8% | Vitamin C: 28.1% | Calcium: 19.6% | Iron: 7.8%

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

      July 9, 2014 at 11:46 am

      I have never had pesto in my macaroni salad before, but I love pesto so I bet it’s awesome!!

      Reply

    2. Daisy

      July 9, 2014 at 11:59 am

      I am in love with this recipe! I love the combination of flavorful ingredients, especially the GF pasta noodles and pesto.

      Reply

    3. Jennifer

      July 9, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      This looks delicious. The fact that it’s gluten free is a plus. I finally have something I can serve at events that is safe for everyone to eat.

      Reply

    4. Courtney

      July 9, 2014 at 12:01 pm

      Great recipe. I love finding gluten free meals that I can serve at parties and events that are enjoyable for everyone.

      Reply

    12. Laura (Lauras Little House Tips)

      July 9, 2014 at 7:05 pm

      Yum! I have a ton of basil and right now dehydrating so much of it. Pesto I love and seem to make so much I burn out on it. Thank you for the reminder this looks amazing. Kuddo’s

      Reply

    16. CrazyMom a/k/a Melanie

      July 9, 2014 at 8:14 pm

      This looks delicious… I love pasta salad and sooo have to try this…. all my favorite ingredients in one dish… YUMMM… thanks for sharing

      Reply

    29. Onica {MommyFactor}

      July 14, 2014 at 8:39 am

      So many of my friends enjoy pasta salad during the summer. I think they will enjoy this recipe with adding the pesto. Adds something different.

      Reply

    30. Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations

      July 14, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      This looks amazing. The colors are gorgeous and I bet the flavor is out of this world.

      Reply

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