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Easy Zesty Pasta Salad Recipe with Italian Dressing Perfect for Summer

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A quick and refreshing pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, fresh veggies, mozzarella, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for summer cookouts and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) rotini or spiral pasta
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup (10 g) red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup (15 g) black olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) honey or sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once done, drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup (150 g) of cherry tomatoes, dice 1 red bell pepper and 1/2 cup (75 g) cucumber, finely chop 1/4 cup (10 g) red onion, and slice 1/4 cup (15 g) black olives. Chop 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh basil and shred 1/2 cup (50 g) mozzarella cheese. Combine all in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) red wine vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon (2 g) Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon (2 g) honey, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) dried oregano. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Whisk until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with veggies and cheese. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly until every piece is coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors marry. Before serving, give it a quick stir and garnish with a few fresh basil leaves if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is key. Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent gumminess. Add oil slowly when whisking dressing for a good emulsion. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to blend flavors. If pasta absorbs too much dressing overnight, refresh with a splash of olive oil or vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian dressing, summer recipe, easy pasta salad, zesty pasta salad, rotini pasta, fresh veggies, quick salad

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/easy-zesty-pasta-salad-recipe-with-italian-dressing-perfect-for-summer/