Cyril Lignac's pasta salad is the ultimate dish for sunny days. Quick to prepare and endlessly versatile, it satisfies every palate. Renowned chef Cyril Lignac shared his standout version—pesto rosso pasta salad—live on his M6 show Tous en cuisine. This vibrant homemade Italian-inspired summer salad bursts with color and flavor. The signature pesto rosso, blending sun-dried tomatoes, ground almonds, garlic, basil, and Parmesan, coats pasta and fresh veggies perfectly. Add strips of smoked bacon for indulgent richness and healthy fats.
Chef's pro tip: Avoid refrigerating the pasta, as it alters the texture and ruins the dish.
Cyril Lignac's Cold Pesto Rosso Pasta Salad Recipe
For 4 servings:
- 250 g penne
- 125 g sun-dried tomatoes
- 20 g ground almonds
- 50 g Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove of garlic
- 20 g fresh basil leaves
- 1 piece of Parmesan cheese, 50 g
- 2 slices of smoked bacon
- 200 g cherry tomatoes
- 100 g peas
- 200 g fresh baby spinach
- 1 zucchini
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Preparation steps:
- In a blender (or salad bowl with an immersion blender), combine sun-dried tomatoes, ground almonds, garlic clove, grated Parmesan, and basil leaves. Blend until smooth and transfer to a container.
- Stir in olive oil to coat and refrigerate.
- In salted boiling water, cook the penne. Drain, drizzle with olive oil, and toss.
- Cook the peas and set aside.
- Slice smoked bacon into thin strips like bacon bits. Julienne the zucchini.
- In a hot skillet, crisp the bacon strips and drain on paper towels.
- In a large bowl, mix pasta, pesto rosso, and bacon. Add quartered cherry tomatoes, peas, spinach, and zucchini.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Parmesan shavings. Serve immediately!
Also read:
Cordon-bleu by Cyril Lignac: A tasty and crispy recipe ideal for the whole family (“The cheese melts in your mouth!”)
Cyril Lignac's strawberry soup: A delicious and simple recipe, perfect for sunny days
Chouquettes by Cyril Lignac: An easy recipe for an ultra-soft and crunchy result!
