Pesto Surprise

May 08, 2023May 8, 20230 3

Amazing Pesto Surprise Recipe for Dinner Tonight

by The Chefin Pasta

Prep

10 min

Cook

10 min

Ready In

20 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	1 package farfalle ( bow tie ) pasta
	1 ( .6 ounce ) package zesty Italian-style salad dressing mix
	12 cherry tomatoes
	1 can artichoke hearts , drained and chopped
	2 cans chopped black olives , drained
	1 can sliced green olives , drained
	6 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
	3 tablespoons pesto

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

543

Sugar

Fat

37g

The Pesto Surprise pasta salad is a refreshing twist on the classic Italian dish, with a mix of tangy and salty flavors that are sure to please your taste buds. The bow-tie shaped farfalle pasta provides a fun texture that pairs well with the juicy cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and savory black and green olives. The pesto gives the dish a fresh and herbaceous flavor that complements the other ingredients, while the shredded Parmesan cheese adds a cheesy tanginess to the mix. This dish is perfect for a summer picnic, potluck, or a quick and easy dinner on a busy weeknight.

Instructions

1.	Boil the farfalle pasta until it is al dente, following the package instructions.
2.	In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and the zesty Italian-style salad dressing mix.
3.	Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl along with the artichoke hearts, black olives, green olives, and shredded Parmesan cheese.
4.	Mix in the pesto and stir everything together until the pasta is coated and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
5.	Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

PROS

This Pesto Surprise pasta salad is flavorful, delicious, and perfect for any occasion.

The ingredients are easy to find and can be prepared in advance for a quick and easy meal.

CONS

The pasta salad can be heavy and high in calories depending on the portion size.

It also has a high sodium content due to the canned ingredients, so it should be consumed in moderation.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The Pesto Surprise pasta salad contains a variety of vegetables and healthy fats from the pesto, artichoke hearts, and olives.
It is also a good source of protein due to the Parmesan cheese.
However, the high sodium content should be a consideration for people with high blood pressure or other health concerns.