Grilled Vegetable Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is a delicious use of fresh summer vegetables that are grilled, added to pasta and dressed in a delicious homemade sun-dried tomato pesto.
Last week I made a really easy, and very tasty sun-dried tomato pesto. I loved this sauce so much, as well as this recipe, I use it in asparagus, sun-dried tomato puff pastry bites which are fun, bite-size appetizers.
This 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.
What is the best pasta to use?
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.
Any 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
Fresh summer vegetables are grilled, added to pasta and dressed in a delicious homemade sun-dried tomato pesto.
Ingredients
- 4 zucchini, sliced
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed of the woody ends
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into large pieces
- 6 green onions, washed, dried and ends trimmed
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 6 cups pasta
- 2 cups sun-dried tomato pesto
- 1 cup (6 ounces) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 ounces 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.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 519 Total Fat: 30g Saturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 21g Cholesterol: 21mg Sodium: 455mg Carbohydrates: 50g Fiber: 7g Protein: 18g
Lawerence Fowlar says
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.
Bintu says
this really is my perfect summer salad.
Nettie says
Looks amazing and so easy! Nettie
christine says
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!
Sela P says
What a fantastic summertime pasta salad!
Peter says
Love the pesto and sun dried tomatoes. great combination!
Jasmin J says
What a healthy and delicious pasta salad this looks like! Great photo Pinned and shared
Erica says
such a beautiful salad and I LOVE that you used sun-dried tomato pesto!
Kacee says
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!
Rebecca says
You really can’t beat a simple pesto pasta dish – the flavours in this sound lovely 🙂
Felicity K says
This looks so light and flavorful! Love all the veggies and beautiful pictures!
Hadia says
What a cool recipe, Janette! I just love it!Pinning!
Dharma D says
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!
Phoebe says
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!
Maarit furman says
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!