Summer Pesto Pasta Salad

I love pesto sauce.  I have a basil plant at my house every summer.....basil is just one of my favorite herbs.  I also love the store-bought pesto sauce.  We keep a jar of the Costco pesto sauce in our fridge.  We are constantly putting it on thin pizzas, different types of grilled cheese, pasta or just serve it in a bowl with a sliced baguette.

I made this yummy summer salad last night.  I decided this is one of those recipes that you can put just about whatever in it.  Consider avocado, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, toasted walnuts, pine nuts or slivered almonds (I used toasted slivered almonds because that is what I had) Craisins, cherry tomatoes, green onions, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese, etc.

I just went with what I had in my house.... Craisins, cherry tomatoes, toasted slivered almonds, feta cheese and Parmesan cheese - we loved it.

I did think the sauce soaked into the pasta as the night when on so you may have to reserve a little to add later or add a little more prepared pesto later.

Summer Pesto Pasta Salad

For the base of the salad....

1 - 16 oz box of pasta, cooked according to directions, drained, cool (I usually toss with a little olive
                                     oil while it is cooling so it doesn't stick together.  I don't rinse the pasta)
Mix together...

         1 cup prepared pesto
         1 small container of plain Greek yogurt

Toss over cooled pasta and add rest of ingredients.  Chill and serve!