Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta Salad

I love light veggie loaded pasta salads.  This pasta salad combines basil pesto with pasta, veggies, and lemon juice to make a delicious side dish.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients-

8 ounces whole grain or protein+ pasta

1 cup basil pesto (I used homemade, but store bought works too)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley

½ cup cherry tomatoes halved

1 bell pepper diced

8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls drained

1 lemon juiced and zested

Optional: grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water.  Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Add pasta, tomatoes, bell pepper, and mozzarella to a medium bowl.  Mix to combine.
3. Mix lemon juice, zest, and pesto in a small bowl.
4. Add pesto mixture to pasta salad and mix in.
5. Fold in parsley.
6. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
7. Enjoy!