Creamy Summer Pasta Salad with Zucchini, Tomatoes & Cheese
Creamy Summer Pasta Salad with Zucchini, Tomatoes & Cheese
45 minutes total
This easy pasta salad recipe uses fresh vegetables such a zucchini, tomatoes, & basil.
Chef's Tip: To prevent your pasta salad from becoming mushy, cook your pasta according to package directions, but take the pasta out one minute before the cook time ends. Drain your pasta, and drizzle with olive oil and lay out on a sheet pan to cool.
Pasta Salad Recipes
Ingredients
Serves 8
| 1 | Box Barilla® Elbows pasta |
| 1 | Jar Barilla® Creamy Genovese Pesto |
| 2 | Teaspoons lemon zest |
| 1 | Lemon, juiced |
| 8 | Ounce container of cherry-size (Ciliegine) mozzarella cheese, halved |
| 2 | Pints multi-colored cherry tomatoes, halved |
| 2 | Small zucchinis, chopped into ½ inch cubes |
| 1½ | Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided |
| Fresh micro-basil or basil sliced for garnish | |
| To taste | Salt and pepper |
Disclaimer
Individuals with allergies or specific dietary concerns should verify that the ingredients they utilize for the recipes comply with their restrictions.
Method
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook pasta 1 minute less package directions and drain.
Step 2
Drizzle pasta with ½ tablespoon of olive oil, cool down on a sheet pan.
Step 3
Meanwhile, sauté zucchini in a hot skillet with remaining olive oil until slightly brown but still firm; season with salt and pepper and let cool down.
Step 4
In a large bowl combine pesto with lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir in pasta, tomatoes, zucchini, and mozzarella; mix well and let sit ten minutes before serving.
Step 5
Garnish with basil.
Elbows
Elbows, Gomiti or Chifferi in Italian, is named for its twisted tubular shape that can vary in size and be either smooth or ridged. Pasta Elbows originated from Northern and Central Italy, where they are traditionally used in soups.
Barilla® Elbow pasta is made with non-GMO ingredients. For more information, please read our position.
- Shape Short
- Cook time 7–8 mins
- Range Classic Blue Box