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Zesty Red Pesto Pasta Salad
This red pesto pasta salad is fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
Using Fiber Gourmet Light Penne keeps this vibrant pasta salad significantly lighter while still delivering that perfect, authentic al dente bite. The rich, savory depth of red pesto (pesto rosso) pairs beautifully with tangy feta, briny Kalamata olives, and crisp garden vegetables. It is a highly satisfying, colorful dish that works beautifully for summer gatherings, backyard barbecues, or healthy weekday meal prep.
1 box Fiber Gourmet Light Penne
1/2 jar (about 1/3 cup) prepared red pesto (sun-dried tomato pesto)
1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
1 cup cucumbers, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh basil leaves, torn or chiffonade
Optional: A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to loosen the dressing
✓ Cool the pasta completely: Let your Light Penne cool down entirely after draining (you can rinse it with cold water to speed things up). If the pasta is even slightly warm, it will melt the feta cheese into a messy paste and soften your crisp cucumbers.
✓ Let the flavors marry: For the absolute best taste, let the assembled pasta salad sit on the counter or in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. This allows the pasta tubes to soak up the sun-dried tomato aromatics deeply.
✓ Loosen the pesto if needed: Red pesto is naturally thicker than green basil pesto. If it feels too dense to coat the pasta evenly, whisk it with a tablespoon of olive oil or a splash of water before tossing.
✓ Dice your veggies evenly: Try to chop your cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion into uniform, bite-sized pieces so you get a perfect balance of flavors and a beautiful visual presentation in every single forkful.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the box of Fiber Gourmet Light Penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly under cold running water until the noodles are completely cool to the touch. Let them drain fully.
While the pasta drains, prep your fresh ingredients. Finely dice the red onion, slice the cucumbers and Kalamata olives, and halve the cherry tomatoes into clean, bite-sized pieces.
In a large, spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled penne pasta, chopped red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Add the red pesto over the top.
Using salad tongs, toss everything together gently until every ridge of the penne is evenly coated in the rich red pesto. Garnish generously with fresh torn basil leaves right before serving. Let it rest for 15 minutes to let the flavors deepen, and enjoy!
Traditional store-bought or deli-counter pasta salads are usually drenched in heavy oils or mayonnaise, packing on empty calories and making you feel sluggish. This recipe replaces those heavy components with a flavor-packed red pesto made from antioxidant-rich sun-dried tomatoes.
By building the foundation around Fiber Gourmet Light Penne, you remove half the calories and empty carbs of traditional white flour noodles, swapping them for gut-loving dietary fiber. You get a vibrant, high-volume plate that satisfies your savory cravings while supporting smooth digestion and long-lasting energy.
While classic green pesto (pesto alla genovese) is made primarily from fresh basil, pine nuts, and garlic, red pesto (pesto rosso) gets its rich color and tangy, sweet flavor from a base of sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers mixed with olive oil and cheese.
Absolutely! This savory Mediterranean profile pairs exceptionally well with sliced grilled chicken breast, shredded rotisserie chicken, sautéed garlic shrimp, or a can of rinsed cannellini beans for a boost of clean, plant-based protein.
Store this pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Because the oils in the pesto will tighten up when cold, you may want to give it a quick stir and let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes before eating to bring back its glossy texture.
Turn your favorite penne into creamy, comforting meals. High-fiber, satisfying pasta recipes made for easy weeknight cooking.
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