Grilled Vegetable Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
Grilled Vegetable Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is a great way to use fresh summer vegetables. Grill the vegetables, toss them with pasta, and coat everything in homemade sun-dried tomato pesto. Enjoy it warm, cold, or at room temperature. This pasta travels well for picnics, road trips, and potlucks.
Last week I made a really easy, and very tasty sun-dried tomato pesto. Aside from using as a dip, I tried mixing it with pasta and came up with this amazing dish.
Sun-dried tomato pesto uses
Once I realized how versatile this sauce is, I started experimenting. I use it in asparagus, sun-dried tomato puff pastry bites which are fun, bite-size appetizers (below).
I like any pasta that has ridges and crevices that allows the sauce get into the grooves for maximum flavor with every bite. Fusilli/rotini, shells, cavatappi are all good choices. Avoid flat-shaped pasta because the weight of the vegetables will just make the dish look unappetizing and flat.
This pesto recipe is delicious warm, cold or room temperature for an easy lunch by the pool, take to the beach or enjoy as a light dinner.Most of the summer, I keep a tub of this in the fridge because all of the vegetables make me feel I’m eating healthy. There are some times that I am out of the house all day so I put some in a takeout dish, throw it in my cooler and I have lunch whenever I need it.
Any seasonal vegetable that can be grilled is perfect for this dish. I used zucchini, asparagus, red bell peppers and spring onions. Additions like bocconcini (small bite size mozzarella balls) give a lovely creaminess and cherry tomatoes make for a fresh, sweet bite. For garnish, I love that chopped basil adds a fresh bite to the dish.
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Grilled Vegetable Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 4 zucchini/courgette, sliced
- 1 pound (453 grams) asparagus, trimmed of the woody ends
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into large pieces
- 6 spring onions/scallions, washed, dried and ends trimmed
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 6 cups pasta of your choice
- 2 cups (252 grams) sun-dried tomato pesto
- 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 ounces (170 grams) fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-size pieces
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat grill.
- Lay out the zucchini and asparagus on a large cutting board. Brush the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, turn and repeat. Grill the zucchini, asparagus for about 6 minutes each side. Set aside and allow to cool.
- Place the bell peppers whole, right on the grill. Char on all sides. Once the peppers are charred, remove from the grill and put in a bowl and cover.
- While the vegetables are cooling cook the pasta according to package directions, drain and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto to the hot pasta and toss to coat, set aside to cool.
- Once the peppers are cool enough to handle, take a paper towel and wipe the charred skin off and de-seed them.
- Chop all the grilled vegetables into bite-size pieces and add to the cooled pasta along with the cherry tomatoes, bocconcini and basil and mix well.
- Serve at room temperature.
Notes
Sun Dried Tomato and Roasted Garlic Hummus
Delicious! It’s a fairly easy and quick recipe that never fails.
Made this last night and has become a regular. My hubby (who doesn’t like pasta) devoured it!
Thank you for sharing, I’m glad it’s a hit.
Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes are perfect for pesto, since you can pour all of that delicious, tomato-infused extra-virgin olive oil right into the food processor.
this really is my perfect summer salad.
Looks amazing and so easy! Nettie
I tend to go for this Italian style pasta salad rather than more traditional versions. I adore the flavors of this w/ the sun dried tomatoes and your photos are just mouth watering!
What a fantastic summertime pasta salad!
Love the pesto and sun dried tomatoes. great combination!
What a healthy and delicious pasta salad this looks like! Great photo Pinned and shared
such a beautiful salad and I LOVE that you used sun-dried tomato pesto!
Just looks at all of those wonderful veggies! Such a stunning summer dish, with vibrant colors. I bet this is one of those dishes that just gets better and better each day – which certainly makes for a fabulous on-the-go lunch!
You really can’t beat a simple pesto pasta dish – the flavours in this sound lovely 🙂
This looks so light and flavorful! Love all the veggies and beautiful pictures!
What a cool recipe, Janette! I just love it!Pinning!
This looks delicious! I’d totally make this for my husband’s lunches! Thanks for the great idea! Pinning it to my Brown Bag Lunches board!
This is gorgeous! I just pulled our a pack of fusilli out of the pantry, but did not know what kind of pasta salad to make… Will try this recipe! Pinned!
Ohhh Janette! I love love love fresh and simple pastas like this! It so perfect for the summer and it can be served hot or cold! Great recipe!