Super Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

~*~*~*Spookygirl*~*~*~'s Note:

This couldn't be easier to make, and it was so good! I got the original idea from Kraft, but really made it my own!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3/4 cup Italian salad dressing
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh basil, washed
• 1 clove garlic, pressed,chopped or smashed,to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped black olives
• 3 cups cooked pasta, your favorite bite sized variety,cooled

Directions:

1. Place basil, garlic, salad dressing and cheese in blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Make adjustments to spices as necessary.
4. Toss with olives and pasta.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to mix.
6. Overnight is good.
7. Serve with a sprinkle of cheese on top.

Reviews

[ellie3763]

absolutely fantastic! i added shredded chicken

[Chef likestocook]

This was really good! We have lots of basil and I was looking for something that would be light for a summer supper. I didn't have any italian dressing so I used Bev's Italian Dressing #43522. I must have been heavy on the basil as my dressing was green not like the picture I used the Barilla PLUS penne which is a 14 1/2 oz. box so I used the whole cup of Italian dressing that Bev's recipe used. My husband doesn't like black olives so I left them out. I topped it with imitation crab for him and he was a happy camper. Thanks for a great recipe.

[CaliforniaJan]

Love this easy summer salad that really takes advantage of fresh basil.