Macadamia Nut Pesto Pasta Salad

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerTastes #CollectiveBias

Happy FriYay!

While everyone is talking about about their #NSALE picks I’m over here drooling over this Macadamia Nut Pesto Pasta Salad. I’ve been in full training mode the last few months, but decided to spurge a little.

Anyway, looking to whip up something delish and on the healthier side I landed on Macadamia Nut Pesto Pasta Salad packed with asparagus, tomatoes and chicken! To top it off with dined outside because that’s what you do during the summer.

Not only did I manage to pick up a box of Barilla Pasta during my last trip to Walmart, but I didn’t leave without a six pack of Gold Peak Tea. Who doesn’t love ice tea during the summer!? Am I right? Available in a variety of flavors I personally love the unsweetened tea. It’s perfect on it’s own or with a slice of lemon. Plus it rounds out any summer BBQ, beach day or road trip nicely.

OK, back to the amazing pasta salad.

Macadamia Nut Pesto Pasta Salad
serves 8-10

Ingredients 

1 Rotisserie Chicken, shredded
1 pound Barilla Pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces with tough ends trimmed off
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup Macadamia Nut Pesto
2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 to 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add Barilla Pasta and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally, according to package directions. Three minutes before the pasta is done, add the asparagus pieces. Finish cooking until pasta is al dente and asparagus is blanched. Drain and rinse until cool.

In a large bowl, combine pasta, asparagus and chicken. In another bowl whisk pesto, apple cider vinegar and additional olive oil to thin out the pesto to a dressing-like consistency. Pour pesto dressing over the pasta salad ingredients, gently toss ingredients to combine and coat, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Just before serving, stir in the tomatoes.

Homamade Macadamia Nut Pesto 


In a food processor combine 3 cups fresh basil, 1/2 cups Macadamia Nuts, 1/2 lemon, 3/4 cups olive, 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 cup parmesan and salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

It’s a simple summer salad perfect for a picnic in the yard or a side at a BBQ. I’ll definitely make this for our next BBQ and might even swap out the chicken with bacon!

Barilla makes dinner quick, easy, and versatile that everyone loves – visit barilla.com for more recipe ideas.

DEAL ALERT: $1 off when you buy any two (2) 64 fl oz bottles of Gold Peak Tea on Coupons.com. Plus, buy 3 products and earn $1 via Ibotta. Valid on all Barilla Blue Box Products and Barilla Pesto Sauce only.