fabulous pesto pasta salad

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. tabasco™)
• 1/3 cup red vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 (4 ounce) package grated parmesan cheese
• 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
• 6 green onions, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) can minced black olives
• 1 (16 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 30 mins


• in a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, mustard, garlic, basil, oregano, cilantro, hot pepper sauce, red vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. add the tomatoes, green onions and olives to the bowl, and stir to coat. refrigerate.
• bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. add the pasta, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender. drain, and rinse with cold water to cool. add pasta to the bowl of dressing, and mix well. top with mozzarella cheese and pine nuts. refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.