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Easy Fresh Basic Cold Pasta Salad Recipe for Perfect Summer Meals

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A quick and easy cold pasta salad featuring fresh veggies and a tangy vinaigrette, perfect for summer meals, picnics, and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • Salt (for boiling water)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4 quarts for 8 oz pasta). Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse immediately under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. While pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion (soak in cold water for 5 minutes if desired), and slice the olives if using.
  5. Add the chopped vegetables to the cooled pasta. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  6. Tear fresh basil leaves over the salad and sprinkle with shredded Parmesan. Give it one last gentle toss.
  7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Salt the pasta water well to enhance flavor. Rinse pasta immediately after cooking to stop cooking and prevent stickiness. Whisk mustard into vinegar first for better emulsification. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Add extra vinegar or salt before serving if needed. Keep cheese and herbs separate until just before serving to avoid wilting.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, rotini salad, fusilli salad, picnic salad, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/easy-fresh-basic-cold-pasta-salad-recipe-for-perfect-summer-meals/