Balsamic Pasta Salad
This Balsamic Pasta Salad is one of my go-to summer recipes—light, flavorful, and ready in no time. Tossed with pantry staples, fresh veggies, and tangy balsamic dressing, it’s perfect for backyard BBQs, weekday dinners, and picnics alike.
Ingredients
- 1, 16 oz. package fusilli or other small shaped pasta
- 1 cup balsamic vinaigrette
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes in oil
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 sweet red pepper diced
- ¼ cup minced red onion
- 1 ¼ cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup baby tomatoes halved
- 1 3.8 oz. can sliced black olives
- 1, 8 oz. balls fresh mozzarella cut into ½-inch cubes
Instructions
- Cook the fusilli in heavily salted water according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water until the pasta is cool to the touch.
- In a large serving bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinaigrette, sun dried tomatoes in oil, garlic, dried basil, thyme, and freshly cracked pepper together until combined.
- Add the pasta, red pepper, red onion, cucumber, baby tomatoes, black olives, and fresh mozzarella chunks to the dressing. Gently but thoroughly toss the pasta and vegetables in the dressing until covered. Serve the pasta immediately, or for best flavor, cover and refrigerate the pasta for 1-2 hours before serving cool.
Notes
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Storage directions: Leftover pasta salad keeps covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It does not freeze well.
- Cool the pasta first: Rinse your pasta under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process. This also keeps the noodles from getting mushy when mixed with the dressing.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes: Their infused oil brings big taste and adds richness to the balsamic vinaigrette pasta salad. Don’t skip it!
- Season to taste: Add additional salt, pepper, or spices to taste to achieve delicious, balanced flavors.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 8gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 458mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g
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