Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 8-ounces of dried fusili pasta (3 cups)
- 6 cups water
- 2 teaspoons salt
Vegetables:
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ of a yellow or red pepper, finely chopped
- ¼ small red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh basil, coarsely tear (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
- One 15.5-ounce can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained
- One 6-ounce can of pitted black olives (or one 6-ounce jar of kalamata olives); drained, pitted, and chopped into halves or quarters
Optional Cheese:
- 1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
- 4-ounces mozzarella, either coarsely grated or, cut into small cubes (about 1 cup of cubes)
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Ingredients
(serves 4)
Section
Instructions
-
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Pour the cooked pasta into a strainer.
- Rinse with cold water until completely cooled; set aside.
- Prepare the vegetables and pour into a large serving bowl.
- Add the pasta to the bowl, gently toss with the chopped vegetables.
- Add Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, toss to incorporate.
- Prepare the double recipe of the Italian salad dressing.
- Pour the Italian salad dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture.
- Gently toss to coat.
- Serve.
Comments
Makes 6 to 8 servings.This is a very flavorful and colorful salad! It can be served on a hot summer day or save it for a cold, dark winter day as a way to perk up everyone's taste buds.
This salad can be made and refrigerated a few hours in advance of serving.
This salad can be a great addition to any picnic or potluck!
Not a fan of mozzarella cheese cubes? Try using coarsely grated mozzarella instead.
If you have diners who do not like cheese, you can serve the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese on the side.