Pasta Salad

This classic pasta salad recipe is a medley of fresh veggies and pasta. This easy salad makes a versatile lunch or dinner.

Recipe Source Link:https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/pasta-salad/

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RECIPE INGREDIENTS

» For Pasta Salad

• 3 cups cooked colorful fusilli pasta, penne, rotini, or farfalle
• 1 small-sized red onion, chopped or sliced
• 1 cup spring onion greens, chopped
• 1.5 cups Roma/cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup pickled peppers, sliced (optional)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini
• 400 grams mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1/4 cup black or kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

» Olive Oil Dressing:

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup white or apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon pink or rock salt, or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/4 cup cilantro or parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)

RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

» Make Dressing:

1. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, vinegar, red pepper flakes, pink or rock salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, minced garlic, and honey or maple syrup (if using). Add chopped cilantro and adjust the seasoning to your taste.

» Make Pasta Salad:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, spring onion greens, red onion, pickled peppers, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, black kalamata olives, red bell pepper, and zucchini. Gradually pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
2. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve the pasta salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or a light main course. Enjoy your colorful and flavorful pasta salad!

RECIPE NOTES

1. When making pasta salad, it is important to follow the package instructions or cook till al dente. Al dente means you only need to cook pasta until it is firm to the bite. So always check pasta while boiling too. Get the perfect texture. Over boiling pasta can make them mushy, and the mushy pasta does not taste well in a salad.
2. Once boiled, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to remove excess starch and to stop the cooking process.
3. Once rinsed, drizzle the pasta with a few drops of oil and toss, this step helps the pasta from clumping together and ensures it stays firm and separate.
4. While boiling the pasta, make sure to use the salted water for boiling. The salted water ensures that pasta is well-seasoned. It also helps to enhance the overall flavor of the salad.