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Fresh Italian Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring tangy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a zesty Italian dressing, perfect for summer parties and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup (75 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
  • 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)
  • 1/3 cup (50 grams) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, packed and chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or penne and cook according to package instructions, about 9-11 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice bell pepper, finely chop red onion, slice Kalamata olives, chop sun-dried tomatoes, and chop basil leaves.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together Italian dressing or make homemade dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, red onion, and basil. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly.
  5. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and drizzle extra virgin olive oil. Toss lightly to combine.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Toss again before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and remove excess starch, which keeps the salad light and prevents mushiness. Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for richer flavor or soak dry-packed tomatoes in warm water before chopping. Add Parmesan cheese last to avoid weighing down the salad. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, sun-dried tomatoes, summer salad, easy pasta salad, party salad, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/fresh-italian-pasta-salad-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-easy-recipe-for-summer-parties/