Pasta Salad is not only a healthy dish for you, but it also comes with a savory mix of salami and cheese! The different ingredients complement each other and give that pleasing texture combined with a good balance of chewy and crisp. It is a perfect cold dish to serve to your friends for gatherings.
What You Need:
- Eliche
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Basil
- Thyme
- Fresh Mint
- Bresaola or cooked ham or salami, cut into small pieces
- Carrots
- Grana Padano
- Pumpkin Seed or Oil Seeds
- Salt
- Cherry Tomatoes cut in half
- Black or Green Pitted Olives
- Mozzarella cut into cubes (or feta or any cheese of your choice)
- Red Pepper, grilled
- Yellow Pepper, grilled
- Courgettes, grilled
- Eggplant, grilled
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh or Dried Oregano
- Basil
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Italian Pasta Salad:
1. Boil the Pasta
Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package just barely to al dente and reserve ½ cup of pasta water then drain the pasta
Once the noodles are cooked, you can shock them in cold water for best results
2. Cook the Pasta
Transfer the pasta to a rimmed 19 by the 13-inch baking sheet and spread out to cool for 15 minutes
3. Prepare Pasta Salad Ingredients
While the pasta is cooking and cooling, chop the different ingredients
Make sure to cut your vegetables slightly smaller than bite-sized to get a taste of everything in one bite!
4. Make Italian Dressing
Add oil to the chopped aromatic herbs in order to get that fragrant mixture, and season lightly with salt and pepper to taste
5. Add Pasta, Veggies, and Cheese to a Bowl
Add the cooled pasta to an extra-large bowl along with bresaola or cooked ham or salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, eggplant, courgettes, mozzarella, oregano, and basil
6. Toss the Salad with Dressing and Pasta Water
Whisk the dressing once more and then pour it over the ingredients in the bowl along with ¼ cup of pasta water
Toss it well to evenly coat the pasta and other ingredients
7. Add More if Needed
Add more pasta water as desired and season with more salt as needed
8. Chill
Refrigerate your pasta salad for 1-2 hours for a colder and more refreshing pasta salad
This Italian Pasta Salad recipe will surely be a potluck favorite as it is easy to make! Check out Euromercato and their different pasta variants to make more pasta recipes you and your friends will love.
