Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad

Recipe By:

Perfect Italiano

perfectitaliano.com.au [1]

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cook Time:

10 minutes

Serves:

6-8

Change up your pasta game and try this delicious Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad! This easy Italian-inspired dish is bursting with flavours and makes for a delicious meal you can enjoy any time of the week. Whether it's a family gathering or a picnic in the park, this salad is sure to impress.

Ingredients

750g dried or frozen beef tortellini
300g broccoli, stem trimmed
30g baby spinach leaves
1 cup (30g) packed basil leaves
½ cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup Perfect Italiano™ Parmesan Block, finely grated
2/3 cup (120g) soft semi-dried tomatoes
60g salami, sliced
1 red onion, cut into thin wedges
Perfect Italiano™ Parmesan Block; extra to serve

Method

Cook tortellini in a pot of boiling salted water for 5 minutes or until tender. Drain. Cool with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl
Cut the broccoli into small florettes and blanch in boiling water for 20 seconds. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again until cool. Reserve around 150g (3/4 cup) of the broccoli florettes for the salad
Process the spinach and basil until finely chopped. Add the oil, broccoli and lemon juice, season and blitz until a coarsely chopped pesto forms. Stir through ½ cup grated parmesan
4. Combine pasta, pesto, reserved broccoli florettes, tomatoes, salami and onion. Use a vegetable peeler to shave parmesan from the block to sprinkle on top to serve

Tips & Hints

You can substitute tortellini for 350g of penne, spirals or elbow pasta.
Salad will keep in the fridge up to 1 day. It can also be heated as a meal.