A scrumptious lunch that comes together in the time it takes to cook pasta? Yes please! Our easy peasy pasta salad is a much loved family favourite, and it’s easy to see why…
Aldente pasta smothered in zesty pesto nestled among fresh juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp shards of parmesan cheese and baby rocket leaves – yum! And this pasta salad is great for your little ones lunch box, making it the perfect on-the-go midday meal!
Did you know preparing lunch is the perfect opportunity to invite your child into the kitchen and get cooking?
Once your pasta is safely boiling away on the stove top, you and your lovely little helper can turn your attention to preparing the fresh goodies to go alongside the perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe offers your little one the opportunity to learn how to measure ingredients, watch how pasta cooks and [with a little guidance] help to slice each cherry tomato in half and even shave slithers of parmesan cheese.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained – your helper will delight in adding the tomatoes, parmesan, pesto, salad leaves and LOVE messily mixing it all together. Happy cooking lovely!
To make your own easy peasy pasta salad simply…
Begin by bringing a large pot of water to the boil, add pasta and cook according to packet instructions.
Set your little one up at the kitchen bench in front of a large wooden board. Ask them to gently pull each tomato from the vine and set aside.
Ask your little one to gently pull the stalk from each tomato and set aside.
Give your a little one a small serrated knife and guide them through slicing each tomato into half the half again.
Drain pasta and run under cool water.
Place pasta into a large bowl, add cherry tomatoes, pesto, parmesan, baby spinach and rocket, basil and toss to combine.
Place the pesto smothered pasta onto a serving platter and nestle on the dining room table to enjoy family style as everyone helps themselves.
easy peasy pasta salad
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: serves 6-8 1x
Ingredients
- 500 grams short pasta
- 250 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup (125ml) store bought basil pesto
- 100 grams parmesan, shaved
- 2 cups (250 grams) baby spinach and rocket leaves
- 1 cup (100 grams) basil, leaves picked
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil, add pasta and cook according to packet instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Place pasta into a large bowl, add cherry tomatoes, pesto, parmesan, baby spinach and rocket, basil and toss to combine. Enjoy x
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
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