Pesto Pasta Salad
Who’s up for a trip to Trader Joe’s this week?!
Trader Joe’s… aka my favorite grocery store of all time. They just have EVERYTHING — everyday staples, fresh fruits & veggies, organic & grass-fed meat, booze, etc. Plus, they’re always coming out with tons of new, fun products. And the prices literally can’t be beat.
and there are SAMPLES, you guys! OHMYGOSH THE SAMPLES.
No joke, every time I go to Trader Joe’s (i.e., every single damn week), I come back with something new and delicious —
. Cauliflower crust pizza.
. Sriracha barbecue sauce.
. Matcha Joe-Joes (back in the good ol’ gluten-full days).
. Chocolate covered cacao nibs.
. Carrot spirals.
. Gluten-free granola.
. Coconut aminos.
. ‘Everything but the Bagel’ seasoning (PLEASE tell me you’ve at least heard of this! If not, RUN don’t walk to your nearest Trader Joe’s immediately!).
I could literally go on for hours about all the cool products Trader Joe’s has come out with over the past few years. Heck, you could just come over and open my cabinets to find half of them! However, I’ll stop yapping about my TJ’s obsession (for now) and instead bring this long-winded story full circle: I made you a delicious pasta (macaroni) salad and all of the ingredients can be purchased at Trader Joe’s.
Yup, you read that correctly. ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS CAN BE PURCHASED AT TRADER JOE’S.
MIC DROP.
I shared my three favorite pesto recipes last week on the blog — all of which can be made using ingredients found at TJ’s. So if you did a little meal prep over the weekend and happen to have some homemade pesto on hand, this recipe literally could not be easier to throw together.
Oh, because did I mention? This recipe has only FIVE INGREDIENTS. Aka the easiest, quickest meal you ever did see. Your dinner could be on the table in less than 30 minutes! Or your lunch for the week! And in my opinion, pesto pasta salad would be the perfect addition to any pot-luck or barbecue (because honestly, is it summer yet?!).
I typically make this pasta salad using my FAVORITE Trader Joe’s quinoa and brown rice fusilli, which is both gluten-free AND organic (#winning)! Sometimes I even grill chicken to toss in there, at Peter’s request — because boys need meat at every meal, in case you didn’t know.
And yes, I know the addition of chicken would bring the ingredient total for this pesto pasta salad to six… which is still pretty damn good, if I do say so myself!
- 16 oz quinoa or brown rice pasta
- 12 oz jar roasted red peppers
- 1 cup traditional pesto
- 6 oz Cabot cheddar cheese
- 3 cups arugula
- Bring a large pan to a boil, salt generously, add your pasta and cook 7-10 minutes or as instructed on the package directions.
- While your pasta cooks, cube your cheese; drain the roasted red peppers and roughly chop. Once the pasta is done, drain and rinse with cold water for 30 seconds or until cool.
- Add all ingredients in a large serving and toss until combined. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
GLUTEN-FREE: I prefer Trader Joe's quinoa and brown rice fusilli for this recipe, but you can use your favorite brand/shape of pasta -- either gluten-free or gluten-full would be delicious.
This recipe can be made using my homemade traditional pesto -- or any variation you please! Feel free to add/substitute any other veggies you are craving or throw some grilled chicken in there for your meat-lovers.
Recipe from: Gimme Some Oven | 5-Ingredient Pasta Salad
And no, I’m not currently sponsored by Trader Joe’s… but certainly open to it ;)
