CREAMY ITALIAN COLD PASTA SALAD - It's all about the dressing coating every bite
CREAMY ITALIAN COLD PASTA SALAD
This classic Italian pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser, bursting with fresh summer flavors. A vibrant mix of cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, crisp green onions, and sweet red pepper dances with perfectly cooked pasta and a homemade dressing for an unforgettable taste. Elevate this dish to a hearty main by stirring in thinly sliced salami – a perfect lunch or brunch option!
Serves: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 35 Minutes
Suggested Tools:
. Large bowl
. Large pot
. Stir spoon
. Large colander
. Sharp knife
. Garlic chopper, if one
. Otherwise can use a knife
. Measuring cups
. Measuring spoons
Ingredients:
1 ½ to 2 cups mayonnaise
1 12 oz. box multi colored spiral pasta – cooked per box/bag instructions, rinsed
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
½ cup red or green pepper chopped small
½ cup or 2.25 ounce can sliced black olives, drained
½ cup green onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon garlic, finely diced
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped fine
2 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
½ teaspoon pepper
Optional: 1 cup dried salami, thinly sliced (this recipe does not include the salami)
Directions:
1. Once pasta is cooked, place it into a colander and drain out all of the hot water.
2. Rinse the pasta with cold water while it is still in the colander so that it stops cooking.
3. Place 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (save ½ cup shown above for later), vinegar, garlic, basil, salt and pepper in large bowl and mix well.
4. Add to the sauce, the pasta, tomatoes, peppers, onion and olives and fold all to combine well.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic and refrigerate until all of the ingredients are cold.
6. Shortly before serving, add the other half cup of mayonnaise and mix well.
Optional: If you want to add some protein to this salad, dried salami would be a perfect fit.
The Crooked Ladle
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