Low Sodium Gluten Free Pesto Pasta Salad

Total time47 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time12 min

Low Sodium Gluten Free Pesto Pasta Salad

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Ingredients

6 servings

For the pasta

12 oz gluten free rotini or fusilli
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1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
Chef's tip
Season to taste - salt substitutes can taste bitter in larger amounts, so start with less.

For the pesto

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
⅓ cup pine nuts
2 cloves garlic, peeled
½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
Chef's tip
Match the form the recipe uses - grated for sprinkling and sauces, a firm wedge for shaving. If the recipe melts the cheese, choose a product labeled meltable.
½ tsp salt
Chef's tip
Season to taste - salt substitutes can taste bitter in larger amounts, so start with less.
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup olive oil

For the salad

1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups baby arugula
¼ cup parmesan cheese, shaved
Chef's tip
Match the form the recipe uses - grated for sprinkling and sauces, a firm wedge for shaving. If the recipe melts the cheese, choose a product labeled meltable.
1–2 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper, to taste
Chef's tip
Season to taste - salt substitutes can taste bitter in larger amounts, so start with less.

For serving

fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the gluten free rotini according to the package directions until tender with no chalky center, typically 10–12 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking, and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking. Spread on a sheet pan or large plate and let cool for 10–15 minutes.
2
While the pasta cools, make the pesto: combine the basil, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped, about 8–10 pulses. Add the finely grated Parmesan, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper, then pulse 4–5 more times. With the processor running, stream in the 1/2 cup olive oil in a steady pour until the pesto is smooth and bright green, scraping down the sides once.

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