Chorizo & Pesto Pasta Salad

Happy August babes!

It always makes me cringe a bit when this time of year rolls around because I start to feel like the hot summer days are starting to slip away, and before we know it it's back to school/work and we hunker down to tighter routines and cooler weather. Do you ever feel that way too? 😭

Ok ok, before we get too emotional about it, let's CELEBRATE the fact that our Sip, Sweat & Salad Summer Challenge just kicked off! 🥳🥳🥳

I LOVE doing these challenges because it's an easy way to kickstart small, daily habits that lead to BIG results over time, if you stick with it.

I think we reallllly underestimate the power of small daily habits. We often think, "I'm not seeing dramatic progress!" so why bother....but I promise you that these are the very things that help us create real and LONG-LASTING results.

With this challenge we've got 3 smoothies, 3 follow-along quick workouts, and 3 salad recipes to choose from, so each week you can a little bit to focus on YOU and feeling your best!

**PS you can totally still join us in the Challenge! Just head to our private FB Community and ask to join, the Challenge guide and details are all there!

This is one of my personal fave recipes because it is SO quick and easy, and of, course DELICIOUS!

And yes, it's pasta based. And yes, there's cured meat. Because healthy doesn't have to be defined as green lettuce leaves and bland chicken!

I want to show you that you CAN eat the foods you love, alongside a variety of easy, home-cooked balanced recipes, to feel, function and look your best.

So if you're looking for a no-brainer, easy dinner recipe to do this week then I've got ya covered babe! This one is SO easy and a true crowd pleaser - perfect for picnics and summer get-togethers :)

Grab your ingredients and let's get cooking!

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Chorizo & Pesto Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Total Time: 20 min

Makes 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

• 500g penne pasta

• Pinch of sea salt

• Splash of extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 bell pepper, chopped

• 1 cucumber, chopped

• 2-3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 300g chorizo sausage, thinly sliced/chopped

• 1 handful fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)

• 5-6 tablespoons of pesto (store bought)

• 3 tablespoons fresh Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot of water, add a pinch of sea salt and a splash of olive oil and bring water to a boil.

2. Once boiling add your pasta and cook according to package instructions, until noodles are al dente. Once they're cooked, drain and rinse under cool water for 5 minutes.

3. While pasta cooks, prepare your salad items: wash and halve cherry tomatoes, wash and chop the pepper and cucumber, chop the sun-dried tomatoes, slice the chorizo and chop the basil. Add all these items to a large serving bowl.

4. Once pasta has cooled, place it in the serving bowl with the other ingredients, and add pesto and Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine, and top with more Parmesan and fresh basil. YUM!

*NOTES:

• STORAGE: This pasta salad will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days, and is even better as a cold leftover!

• PROTEIN: You can substitute ANY protein here! Will go well with chicken, steak, salmon (keep separate for storage though!), grilled tofu or shrimp.

• LEFTOVER VEGGIES? Use up any veggies in your fridge to load this salad up with more nutrients!

Did you make and LOVE this recipe? Let me know in the comments below! I love to hear about how you adapt this to make it your own :D