Grilled Vegetable Pesto Pasta - 52 Side Dishes from the Grill

Take a look at the vegies to the right...
Onions, Peppers, Green and Yellow Zucchini, all grilled to deliciousness, seasoned and wonderful to add to a pasta.

You may recall a few weeks ago when I posted my version of a Summer Fresh Mint Basil Pesto recipe.  Combine the grilled vegetables with the fresh made pesto and you have something amazing.  Just simply a BIG BITE of Summer freshness!

The inside work of boiling the pasta and mixing with the pesto is done in advance.  Grilling and a quick rough chop of the vegetables only takes a few minutes (time to "rest" your meat before serving), making this combination of a starch and vegetables a perfect side dish to serve at any backyard BBQ.

OK... Here's what I did...

Grilled Vegetable
Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

1 Box Farfalle (Bow Tie) Pasta
1 Cup Fresh Made Mint Basil Pesto (Can use store bought jarred Sauce)
1/4 Cup Olive Oil for brushing the vegetables
1 Medium Red Onion, thick sliced
Salt and Pepper to Taste
2 Red Bell Peppers, Stems and seeds removed, cut into large flat pieces
1 Medium Yellow Zucchini, cut into long thick slices
1 Medium Green Zucchini, cut into long thick slices
Optional, Eggplant, Tomatoes, almost any grillable vegetable
Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon
Salt and Pepper to taste (again, so S&P Sparingly)
Sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

1. Prepare the Pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Mix with Pesto while the pasta is still hot, pasta absorbs sauces best when hot.
2. Prepare vegetables, slice and brush with Olive Oil, Salt and pepper seasoning.
3. Grill until both sides are heated and just starting to soften
4. Dice into large bite size pieces.
5. Mix with pesto pasta, add lemon juice and zest, garnish with Parmesan Cheese
6. Serve HOT and ENJOY!!!

And if you liked this post, you will LOVE all the little extras I have all in one page... 52 (more actually)... 52 BBQ and Grilling Secret Extras.  You Too can become MASTER OF YOUR DOMAIN (as long as your domain is your own backyard)!  Be "That Guy" (or Gal) who does back yard open fire cooking just a bit better than the neighbors.  It is the little things that will set you apart.

52 BBQ and GRILLING SECRET EXTRAS ... If you are a once a month (or summer) griller, these recipes and techniques are for you. New and simple dishes that will make you shine. If you cook often in a complex series of grills and dedicated smokers in an outdoor kitchen, I bet I still have a few dishes you can add to your repertoire. APPETIZERS, SIDE DISHES, CONDIMENTS, MAIN DISHES and even DESSERTS To MAKE you MASTER OF YOUR DOMAIN!!!

I will be adding something new to the list (already above the 52, but still LOTS more coming).  Best way to keep up is to "follow" my 52 Grilling Time Secrets Board on Pinterest.  Anytime I have a new recipe for your grilling party I will add a pin.

Of course, I would love to have you share this idea with your friends... Show some Pinterest Love and PIN ME to your favorite site or better still onto a group site...

Thanks and I'll save a rib for you!