Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad with grilled corn and poblanos, has definitely changed my mind on pasta salad. I've never been a fan of cold pasta salads, but this Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad did the trick!
Cold pasta salad has never been my thing. Of course, the only pasta salad that I remember from my formative years was the standard macaroni salad.
I am not a macaroni fan even if it comes as mac and cheese. I remember macaroni salad being full of mayonnaise and awfully sweet. It was never my thing, which is maybe why I've avoided pasta salad all these years.
A few years ago I discovered a Caesar style pasta salad that was so good that I finally decided I'd try pasta salad again. This pasta salad with pesto is one I made while my brother was here and we all agreed that it was great.
I was careful to not overcook the pasta, (follow package directions) and I used a hearty pasta shape that could handle the pesto without making the pasta soggy and soft.
The roasted corn and poblanos helped set the mood for our trip down to New Mexico. Mark and Diane had never been to Northern New Mexico so we decided to make a quick escape together.
And the cilantro pesto? That tops the pasta salad?
is easily made using lots of cilantro, some lime zest and a handful of pistachios. Throw this in a food processor and within seconds you will have a glorious green pesto.
No cheese in this pesto, but salty cheese is crumbled on top of the cold pasta salad before serving. However if you want to make this into a pesto with cheese, merely add some grated Parmesan, or Manchego, and drizzle a bit more olive oil into the pesto until you reach the consistency you prefer.
Pasta Salads like this are super picnic fare. This simple pasta salad has no mayo and the cheese can easily be added at the last minute.
Though this pasta salad can be served cold out of the refrigerator, I think room temperature is the way to go. The flavors of this pasta salad seem to liven up at room temperature.
It was so hot in Denver before we left that I decided to grill chicken which made it super easy to grill the veggies that went into this salad. Toss the chicken with a little of the cilantro pesto before placing on the grill. Serve on top of this Mexican style pasta salad if you'd like.
Looking for a shortcut? If you don't want to turn the grill on Trader Joe's sells roasted corn in their freezer section and a can of green chilies could be substituted for the poblanos. It won't be quite the same but I 'm sure you will still be happy.
Without a doubt this cilantro pesto combined with pasta, roasted poblanos and corn is a winner in my book.
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And a few more fun salads for summer:
Grilled Halloumi and Peach Salad
Spinach Salad with Za'atar, Dates and Almonds
Blueberry Chicken Pesto Salad
Recipe
Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Yield: 6-8 Servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: Grill/Boil
- Cuisine: Mexican/American
Description
Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad with grilled corn and poblanos has definitely changed my mind on pasta salad. I've never been a fan of pasta salads, but this Cilantro Pesto Pasta Salad did the trick!
Ingredients
2 c packed fresh cilantro
½ c olive oil
⅓ c roasted salted pistachios
1 t finely grated lime zest
2 T fresh lime juice
1 medium clove garlic
2 large poblanos or 1 -2 cans green chilies, drained
4 large ears corn, or about 3 c kernels
1 large red onion, cut into 4 wedges (I used a white onion)
A few red tomatoes sliced for color (optional)
12 oz fusilli pasta, cooked to package directions
1 ½ c crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
Instructions
Combine cilantro, oil, pistachios, lime zest and juice, garlic and ¾ t salt in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. (This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge but bring to room temperature before serving. If you want to make just the pesto, you may want to add more oil to the mixture because this made a very thick pesto.)
Preheat the grill to medium high. Grill poblanos, turning occasionally, until well charred and tender, about 14-16 minutes.
Grill the corn, turning as needed until slightly charred.
Brush each onion wedge with oil and grill until tender and has some grill marks, about 8 minutes.
Place poblanos in a plastic bag and let steam. This makes them easier to peel. Cool and then slice off the top. Make a slit in the side to flatten poblano. Skin should scrape right off from the top of the stem. A little bit of char doesn't hurt the taste. Turn over and remove seeds. Chop into ¾" pieces. Place in a large bowl.
Slice corn off of cob. Reserve half of corn for garnish and place the rest in bowl with poblanos.
Slice onions into thinner slices and place in bowl.
Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain and transfer to bowl with vegetables.
Add pesto, half of the cheese and toss well. (You may not need to use all of the pesto. It is up to you how much you want on there.)
Serve topped with remaining corn, cheese and some cilantro leaves.
Notes
Thank you, Fine Cooking!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Oh this is a fun one Abbie. A twist on a tex mex style pesto. I like in in 2018 and love it in 2020!! Pinned
Chef Mimi says
Fantastic. I can think of so many ways to utilize this pesto! I’m so glad i love cilantro!
Holly says
I love a dairy free pesto and think the addition of pistachios sound perfect.
angiesrecipes says
Pesto made with cilantro and pistachios must have tasted amazing!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Totally agree room temperature is the way to go with pasta salads. This dish screams out for a chunky pasta shape. You obviously listened. 🙂 Good stuff -- thanks.
Susan says
I never used to like cilantro but now I'm growing fonder of it! This sounds so delicious and much more healthy than mayo-based pasta salads. Delicious recipe!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Love the little kick in this salad from the poblanos. Fun fusion of flavors and a perfect companion to all our BBQ needs! Pinned!
GiGi Eats says
If I could eat pasta and pesto, I would be ALL OVER THIS recipe with my FACEEE! hahahaha!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I'm with you on the mayonnaise-laden macaroni salads--no thank you! But this looks FABULOUS! I love pesto and I love the gorgeous green color of this salad! This is a must try 🙂
Mr. Trendspotter says
This dish is terribly misnamed! It should be Poblano Pepper Pesto Pasta! The cilantro is incidental - just look at the little sprig laying on top. The poblanos deserve headlines for making its the pop from the pepper pieces that places this pasta in prize-winning position! Perhaps it's easier to call it Green Pasta... it's really green. Probably proper to mention it's very tasty.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
I am a pasta salad fan, and this looks beautiful Abbe. Pinning to try very soon.
Mimi says
Beautiful. And creative. I’m so happy I love cilantro because otherwise I’d really be missing out on a lot of enjoyment!
Liz says
Just in time for the 4th! I love the cilantro twist!!
mae says
Your flavors sound good -- but like you, I maxed out on pasta salads a long time ago. Funny how they were so popular and now not so much. Using all fresh from-scratch ingredients makes good sense.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I do like pasta salads, and do like some with mayo, but a vinaigrette-style is much more my preference. This pesto looks perfect -- perky flavor and great color. It's HOT here, so salads are about all we've been eating lately. And I need all I can get, so thanks!