Pesto Pasta Salad

Here is Lisa's recipe for Pesto Pasta Salad.  It was a huge hit!

My only warning is that this recipe makes enough salad to feed a small nation.  That nation will have happy tastebuds, though.

Pesto Pasta Salad

 2 lbs farfalle pasta (bowtie)

2 T olive oil

4 cloves of garlic

1 1/2 to 2 cups of shredded Parmesan cheese

4-5 cups of pesto (get that at Costco..delish!)

1/4 cup of lemon juice (or juice from 1/2 a lemon)

small amount of mayo - less than a cup (if you're disturbed by mayo,  don't fear.  You don't even notice it, and it helps the pesto stick to the pasta.)

a bag of baby spinach leaves (trim stems)

1 cup pine nuts (or more) 

grape tomatoes - optional, but makes it more colorful and yum

Cook pasta al dente (11 -12 min) Drain and put in large bowl. Toss with garlic and 2 T olive oil. Let cool. Mix in cheese to taste. Mix pesto sauce with lemon juice and a small amount of mayo (to help it stick to the pasta) and mix with the pasta. Add spinach leaves, pine nuts and tomatoes. Serves about 16-18. Refrigerate. DELISH!