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Pesto Pasta Salad

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  • Prep 15 min
  • Total 30 min
  • Servings 6
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Stress free pasta salad ready in 30 minutes! No-fuss meatless salad perfect for the main course.
Updated Sep 24, 2015
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Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta (7 1/2 oz)
  • 2 cups bite-size pieces fresh green beans
  • 1 tablespoon pine nuts
  • 1 1/2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fat-free ricotta cheese
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 cup fat-free chicken broth with 33% less-sodium
  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups washed fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

Steps

  • 1
    Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt and adding green beans for last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, in blender or food processor, place nuts, basil, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, garlic, broth and oil. Cover; blend on medium speed about 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape sides, until smooth.
  • 3
    In large bowl, mix pasta, green beans, spinach and tomatoes. Add pesto, vinegar and reserved 1/4 cup cooking water; toss to coat.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    This is a great meatless main dish, but if you like, stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cooked chicken or a 7-ounce can of tuna, drained and flaked.
  • tip 2
    Try arugula or field greens instead of the spinach, or chopped cooked broccoli or cauliflower instead of the green beans.

Nutrition

250 Calories, 7g Total Fat, 11g Protein, 37g Total Carbohydrate, 4g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
250
Calories from Fat
60
Total Fat
7g
10%
Saturated Fat
2g
9%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
0%
Sodium
150mg
6%
Potassium
460mg
13%
Total Carbohydrate
37g
12%
Dietary Fiber
4g
19%
Sugars
4g
Protein
11g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
60%
60%
Vitamin C
35%
35%
Calcium
15%
15%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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