This delightful dish features a vibrant mix of fresh mixed greens, perfectly cooked fettucine noodles, juicy cherry tomatoes, nutty Parmesan cheese, and slices of spicy sausage that will awaken your taste buds. The star of the show is the rich and aromatic pesto sauce, which ties all the ingredients together. It’s a family favorite that’s not only easy to make but also packed with unique qualities that will leave everyone at the table craving for more. Let’s dive in!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

8 oz fettucine noodles
1 cup mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, or kale), washed and chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sliced spicy sausage (such as chorizo or pepperoni)
1/4 cup store-bought or homemade pesto sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook the fettucine noodles according to the package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. This should take around 8-10 minutes. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled fettucine noodles, mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, grated Parmesan cheese, and sliced spicy sausage.
Drizzle the pesto sauce and olive oil over the ingredients, and gently toss everything together until the noodles and other ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce.
Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper to taste, and give it a final toss to ensure all the flavors are well-distributed.
Serve the pesto pasta salad immediately, or refrigerate it for a while to allow the flavors to meld together even more.

Notes

You can use any type of spicy sausage you prefer, such as chorizo, pepperoni, or spicy Italian sausage, to add a kick of flavor to the salad. Feel free to add more vegetables like sliced bell peppers, black olives, or red onions for extra color and crunch. Make sure the cooked fettucine noodles are fully cooled before combining them with the other ingredients to avoid wilting the mixed greens. For a creamier pasta salad, mix in a spoonful of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt along with the pesto sauce. This Pesto Pasta Salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, shrimp, or even crispy roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Enjoy!

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.