Elevate classic pasta salad with this vibrant walnut and pea pesto sauce! This gluten-free recipe is perfect for summer days, backyard barbecues, and potlucks.
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Why You'll Love This
Swap your traditional pasta salad for this vibrant, gluten-free version featuring a unique sweet pesto made from green peas and candied walnuts from Santé Nuts. Perfect for warm weather, this dish combines juicy cherry tomatoes, salty ham, and creamy mozzarella for a delicious bite. Ideal for Fourth of July gatherings or meal prep, this pasta salad is your new 30-minute summer staple!
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What Is Pesto?
Pesto, originating in Italy in the 16th century, is traditionally made with garlic, pine nuts, basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and olive oil, offering a nutty, herbaceous flavor. Though often paired with gnocchi, it now comes in many variations, like kale or avocado pesto, each suited to different dishes. For this recipe, peas and walnuts create a sweeter pesto that complements the pasta salad for a balanced, harmonious flavor.
Ingredients
Here is everything you will need to make this delicious dish!
For the Walnut and Pea Pesto:
- Peas: Provide sweetness, freshness, and vibrant color.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps blend the pesto.
- Walnuts: Contribute nutty depth and balance the sweetness.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the pesto with acidity.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds savory umami and creaminess.
- Basil: Brings a fragrant, herbal note.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent kick and depth of flavor.
- Pepper: Enhances the overall flavors with subtle heat.
- Salt: Balances and enhances all the flavors.
For the Pasta Salad:
- Gluten-free pasta: Acts as a hearty base that absorbs the pesto.
- Peas: Add sweetness, crunch, and vibrant color.
- Cherry tomatoes: Provide juiciness and tangy sweetness.
- Cooked ham: Adds savory, salty richness.
- Mozzarella pearls: Contribute creamy, mild richness.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some tips for adjusting the recipe if you're missing ingredients or want simple modifications!
- Extra Savory: Add bacon bits for a savory touch.
- Store-bought: Use store-bought pesto for a quicker, "on the go" option.
Note: Substitutions not listed may alter the results, as this recipe hasn’t been tested with them.
Equipment
All you need for this recipe includes the following; a food processor and a large salad bowl.
Instructions
How to Make Walnut and Pea Pesto
Make this pesto in 5 minutes with a food processor and under 10 ingredients:
- Peas: Use thawed frozen or steamed peas, cooled to room temperature.
- Walnuts: Candied walnuts add sweetness and crunch.
- Olive Oil: Helps smooth the pesto into a sauce.
- Lemon: Adds necessary acidity.
- Garlic: Enhances flavor without overpowering.
- Parmesan: Adds nutty depth and complements the walnuts.
- Basil Leaves: Essential for classic pesto flavor and balance.
These ingredients create a perfectly balanced pesto, letting the peas and walnuts shine!
The Base of the Salad
A great salad starts with the right base, and for this recipe, choosing the right gluten-free pasta is key to avoiding mushiness.
Tips for Choosing Gluten-Free Pasta:
- Brand: Choose well-known brands like DeLallo, Barilla Chickpea Pasta, and Banza(I used Barilla's chickpea rotini).
- Cooking: Undercook the pasta by 60-90 seconds for a slightly al dente texture.
- Cooling: Let the pasta cool to room temperature in a glass bowl with a splash of olive oil, stirring every few minutes. Avoid refrigerating, as it can harden the pasta.
These tips ensure your pasta salad has the perfect texture!
Building the Pasta Salad
This pasta salad comes together in minutes! After the pasta has cooled to room temperature, fold in the pesto using a spatula, ensuring even coating since the pasta is slightly al dente.
Next, add two cups of steamed and cooled green peas, which complement the pesto's flavor. Then, include a cup of halved cherry tomatoes for color, diced ham (preferably leftover holiday ham for extra flavor), and mozzarella pearls.
Serving Suggestions
Finally, fold all the ingredients together using a spatula or salad tongs. Serve up your delicious pasta salad and enjoy!
Expert Tips
This pasta salad is a new go-to, thanks to the unique Walnut and Pea Pesto that elevates simple dishes in minutes. The walnuts enhance the sweetness of the peas, adding depth instead of balancing it out. Unlike traditional pestos with bitter pine nuts, walnuts offer a complex flavor profile with rich oil content and subtle sweetness. The sugar coating of candied walnuts from Santé Nuts further enriches the flavor, making this pesto truly special.
Storage
This salad is best stored when sealed tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to eat, simply plate and enjoy cold!
FAQ
Of course! Although, the shape will impact the amount of sauce per bite.
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Other Sante Nuts Recipes
I love the variety of flavored nuts from Santé Nuts, a family-owned company that crafts hand-roasted snacks in small batches. They offer an array of flavors using almonds, walnuts, and pecans. Here are some favorites:
- Garlic Almonds: Perfect for snacking or adding crunch to Lemony Asparagus Risotto.
- Candied Pecans: Great for baking, like in Gluten-Free Pecan Crusted Mini Key Lime Pies, or in salads like Radicchio Salad with Pecans.
- Cocoa Almonds: Chocolate-coated almonds ideal for charcuterie boards, trail mix, or desserts like Rocky Road Ice Cream.
Check my Instagram for more gluten-free recipes featuring Santé Nuts, and use code 'BOTTOMLESSPIT' for 15% off your order!
Related
Looking for more? Check these out!
Walnut and Pea Pasta Salad
Course: Appetizers, Sides, Lunch, Main, SaladsDifficulty: Easy10
Servings30
minutesDiscover how to make the walnut and pea pesto from scratch, along with the full pasta salad recipe!
Ingredients
- For the Walnut and Pea Pesto
2 cups peas, steamed and cooled to room temperature
½ cup olive oil
½ cup walnuts, halved
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup parmesan cheese
4-6 large basil leaves
1 large garlic clove
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Pasta Salad
One 8oz. box of gluten-free pasta, cooked according to box instructions
2 cups peas, steamed and cooled to room temperature
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup cooked ham, diced
⅓ cup mozzarella pearls
Directions
- For the Walnut and Pea Pesto
- Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor.
- Pulse until smooth, scraping down the sides with a spatula as needed.
- For the Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta according to the box instructions, then allow the pasta to cool to room temperature.
- Add the pasta to a large bowl with all of the walnut and pea pesto.
- Use a spatula to fold in the pesto until all of the pasta is evenly coated.
- Pour the peas, tomatoes, ham and mozzarella pearls into the bowl.
- Mix the ingredients to evenly disperse before serving and enjoying!
Recipe Video
Notes
- Store in an air-tight container for up to four days.
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