Description
Pasta Salad with Pesto for Lunch Boxes is a colorful and flavorful dish that elevates your lunch experience. This vibrant salad features al dente pasta tossed in rich basil pesto, complemented by fresh cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet bell peppers. Quick to prepare and perfect for meal prep or picnics, each bite offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes that will make your lunchtime something to look forward to.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked short pasta (fusilli or penne)
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (mixed colors)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables. Add the basil pesto and mix well.
- Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and season with salt and pepper; toss gently.
- Drizzle with olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent sticking.
- Pack into individual containers or one lunch box and refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg