Easy Cold Herbed Pasta Salad Recipe

A simple recipe for a cold pasta salad flavored with fresh herbs, and inspired by the traditional Italian pesto flavors of garlic, basil and Parmesan. Use this chilled pasta salad recipe as a base and add your own favorite veggies or pasta salad add-ins such as olives, peppers or tomatoes. It's also delicious as is, as the fresh herbs really shine in this easy and simple pasta salad. For a vegan version, simply omit the Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:

• 10 oz. corkscrew (rotini) or bow-tie (farfalle) pasta
• 1/4 cup good quality olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup pinenuts
• 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain well and allow to cool. Heat half the olive oil and add the garlic. Cook for just a minute or two, then reduce heat to low and add chopped fresh basil and parsley. Cook for just one minute, until heated through. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a large bowl, combine pasta with remaining ingredients, including cooked garlic and herbs, the remainder of the olive oil, lemon juice, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. Season generously with salt and pepper, to taste.
Toss well and serve cold.