The food of summertime is one of my favourite things about the season and here in Saskatchewan, we’re enjoying summer weather in full force. While we’ve had plenty of barbequed meals already to celebrate this month’s many special days, there’s so much more to summertime food than just barbeque and for a cool and refreshing meal on a hot day, there’s nothing better than a hearty salad.
Personally, I tend to favour pasta salad recipes since they’re so versatile. I’m actually not overly fond of the traditional pasta salad with ham and cheese that so many seem to love. But a pasta salad loaded with vegetables is a hit with me every time and so this weekend I decided to put a few twists on the Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad recipe on the Kraft What’s Cooking website to create a Greek-style pasta salad perfect for a light summer supper.
Creamy Greek Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pesto
- 1/4 cup Kraft Real Mayonnaise
- 2-1/2 cups whole wheat rotini pasta cooked, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 3 Tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup feta cheese chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach torn
Instructions
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Mix pesto and mayonnaise in large bowl until well blended.
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Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
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Refrigerate at least one hour or overnight if desired.
The addition of feta cheese, cherry tomatoes and spinach gave this salad some extra heartiness and nutrition to help take it from side dish to main course. The sun-dried tomatoes and pesto dressing contribute great flavour to the salad as well; I have to admit, I’m a bit of a sucker for anything involving pesto.
And to make a light supper a little heartier, this salad is a perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken. While it would be ideal just served on the side, I actually think that the next time I make it, I may grill a chicken breast and add the strips to the salad. What better way could there be to keep cool on a hot day?
While my Greek salad may not suit everyone, there are plenty of other delicious pasta salad recipes on the Kraft What’s Cooking website as well and I can’t wait to give a few of them a try. Next time I think I’ll be making the Creamy Tortellini Primavera Salad; the blend of fresh spring vegetables and cheese-filled pasta sounds like it would suit my tastes perfectly. Check out the recipes for yourself and find a new favourite for your family to enjoy on the next long weekend!
Teresa Claire says
This looks so good. I love salads and pasta salad in the summer is so perfect for picnics.
Debbie S. says
Sounds delicious, I love the feta cheese! Thanks for sharing! Just finished pinning it!
Kam says
Looks so good! Perfect for a summer barbecue!
Donnas says
This is a nice and refreshing summer meal.
Brigid OHara Koshko says
This looks absolutely delicious and so easy. Thank you for a great recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Beth E says
Tried this without the olives (olives make me shudder yuck! LOL ) yummy salad, thanks for sharing.
Nicky says
looks delish – i wanna meke this for lunch!
Lynda Cook says
yummm this I am going to make tonight, thanks for sharing
Corry L. says
Love Greek Salad but I’d leave out the olives. My family doesn’t like them.
Gord says
Looks delicious, I will have to try that recipe.
kathy downey says
I love the feta cheese,I will be saving this one thanks
natasha severson says
this looks soo yummy!!! I’m going to have to make this tonight!!
angela m says
This looks delicious, I am always wanting to try new pasta dishes
thanks
kristen visser says
oh wow !!! sounds so delicious. i must try these because right now i only have a few pasta dishes that i make so now i can add this one to the list 🙂
caryn s says
This would make a perfect meal on a hot summer night!
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
Greek salad is my fav
Elaine Buonsante says
What a great combination, feta and pesto!
GARRY S says
LOOKS GREAT
Renee says
I just love pasta salads and this one looks delicious! I will have to be trying this in the near future.
Dorothy Teel says
This sounds like a great salad for a hot summer day, I am not the biggest fan of feta cheese, but I am sure that I could find something that works and I like you would add protein, chicken, ham, or the like to it and make it a one dish meal, thank you for sharing this recipe
rochelle haynes says
Nice it looks good
Wanda Tracey says
I LOVE SALADS AND I AM SO GLAD YOU POSTED ONE THIS GOOD.iT LOOKS VERY APPEALING AND WILL TRY IT SOON.THANK YOU
Alpa says
i would love to try this awesome recipe as have some guests coming over in few days thanks for saving my day 🙂
nikki robak says
pasta salads are great and really versatile
Florence C says
Looks delicious. I love pasta.
Erika B says
Oh my gosh this looks so yummy! This is one of my favorite parts of summer, the yummy side salads!! I love pasta salad. Saving this recipe thanks!
Sherry M says
great looking recipe that I would like to try.
Laurie P says
ya had me at Feta! 🙂
Yummuy!
Heidi C. says
I love the Greek flavours of this pasta salad. Will make a great side for this summer’s BBQs!
jan says
I may even add more spinach to this – thanks. I also like the look of the Creamy Tortellini Primavera Salad you mention.
Judy C (Judy Cowan) says
Looks very yummy, good salad for an upcoming potluck I am going to so I will try it out! Thanks for the recipe!
Alison Braidwood says
This looks so yummy. I’m a pesto addict, and add it to all my pasta sauces.
Darlene W says
Pasta salad in the summer is one of my favourite salads. The addition of pesto will make this even more savory
Kristine Ewald says
This looks delicious 🙂 I would love to try this!
Yuen C says
Love this recipe!
Jennifer L. says
I’ll have to try this. Perfect for our summer picnics.
Marilyn Legault says
great combo, pasta and Greek
cheryl says
oh yum! that looks tasty
Teresa Claire says
I took a ‘pesto’ class last year…I love basil!
Cheryl Grandy says
Looks delicious! Thanks for the suggestions for variations, too.
Christy Martin says
I never would have thought to add spinach! What a great way make it even more healthy. I would make this with olives on the side!
Monique L.S. says
Love pesto & pasta. Yum!
Stephanie LaPlante says
That is one of my favorite salads on planet earth.
JaimeeM says
All of these pasta salads are making me hungry!
MrDisco says
excellent presentation
Ronald G says
I love European style foods and I will definately make this pasta salad…even though I live alone
Jeannie says
That looks delicious. My son loves pasta salads during the summer.
chickie brewer says
looks so delicious and yummy and of course very nutritional!
Jennifer P. says
Oh wow, this sounds incredible – my mouth is watering!! Adding to my recipes right now!
Sharon Rooney says
I really love the sound of this recipe. I always make the traditional pasta salad but I love greek salad so I’m going to have to try this one for the next picnic.