Description
A fresh and tasty dish that combines pasta with a unique sunflower seed pesto, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Cooked Pasta: Choose your favorite type, such as penne, fusilli, or rotini.
- Sunflower Seeds: Provides a creamy texture and nutty flavor.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Adds a fragrant and fresh taste.
- Garlic: Minced for a zesty kick.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds richness and depth.
- Olive Oil: Helps to blend the pesto smoothly.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the dish.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances flavors.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halved for sweetness and color.
- Diced Cucumber: Adds a crunchy texture.
Instructions
- Prepare the sunflower seed pesto by pulsing sunflower seeds, basil, garlic, and Parmesan in a food processor.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil while blending until smooth, then add lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced cucumber.
- Pour the pesto over the pasta and vegetables, and toss gently to coat.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve.
Notes
- Can be made ahead of time for better flavor.
- Substitute sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds if needed.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
