Pesto Pasta Salad

1 lb. rotini or rotelle pasta, uncooked
2 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 (7 oz.) can small pitted ripe olives, drained and halved
1 red onion, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup roasted sunflower nuts
1 large unpeeled cucumber, coarsely chopped
PESTO SAUCE:
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. pine nuts or walnuts
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and chill.

Combine with remaining ingredients. Toss with Pesto Sauce.

PESTO SAUCE:
Combine basil, oil, nuts, garlic, and salt in food processor or blender, process, scraping down sides until well blended.

By hand, stir in cheese.

Hi Krystal,

Here is a salad that has the ingredients you're looking for but the dressing is different. I wonder if using a creamy Italian dressing with the salad would make it similar to the one you're looking for.

Happy Cooking!

Betsy at Recipelink.com