Summer brings hot days and a craving for cool meals. A vibrant pasta salad is perfect for this. This sun-dried tomato pasta salad is a treat, with sweet sun-dried tomatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a zesty dressing. It’s like a trip to the Mediterranean, right in your mouth.
Key Takeaways
- Quick and easy to prepare in just 15 minutes
- Vegan-friendly and can be made gluten-free
- Packed with flavorful ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil
- Versatile and perfect for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks
- Customizable to suit personal preferences
What Makes This Pasta Salad Unique?
This Italian cuisine inspired pasta salad is a mix of Mediterranean flavors. It stands out from regular pasta salads. The sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet taste and bright color. The dressing, made with zesty sun-dried tomato oil, adds a special flavor.
The Flavor-Packed Dressing
The dressing is what makes this salad taste so good. It’s made with sun-dried tomato infused oil. The dressing also includes sherry vinegar, lemon juice, soy sauce, tomato paste, and Dijon mustard. This mix coats the pasta and other ingredients, giving a Mediterranean-inspired taste with every bite.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sherry Vinegar | 45 ml (3 tbsp) |
| Lemon Juice | 1 tbsp |
| Soy Sauce | 1 tsp |
| Tomato Paste | 1 tsp |
| Dijon Mustard | 1/2 tsp |
| Sun-Dried Tomato Infused Oil | 60 ml (1/4 cup) |
The mix of these ingredients makes a flavor-packed dressing. It coats the pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and other salad parts. This boosts the salad’s overall taste.
Easy Ingredient List
This pasta salad recipe is easy to make. It uses simple pantry staples and fresh produce. The main ingredient is short cut pasta. It’s mixed with sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil for bold flavors.
The pasta is 8 ounces of radiatori, a shape that holds dressing well. For the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, you need 10 sun-dried tomatoes, ¼ cup of their oil, and ¼ cup of red wine vinegar. Also, ¼ cup of water, ½ cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh basil, and 1 minced shallot are required.
The salad includes 1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes and 1 cup of chopped green bell pepper. It also has 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, ½ cup of kalamata olives, and 10 thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Plus, ½ cup of fresh basil and 1 ¼ cup of the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Radiatori pasta | 8 ounces |
| Sun-dried tomatoes | 10 (for the vinaigrette) + 10 (thinly sliced for the salad) |
| Sun-dried tomato oil | ¼ cup |
| Red wine vinegar | ¼ cup |
| Water | ¼ cup |
| Olive oil | ½ cup |
| Fresh basil | 2 tablespoons (for the vinaigrette) + ½ cup (for the salad) |
| Shallot | 1 small (minced for the vinaigrette) + 2 small (thinly sliced for the salad) |
| Cherry tomatoes | 1 cup, chopped |
| Green bell pepper | 1 cup, chopped |
| Fresh mozzarella | 8 ounces, torn or chopped |
| Kalamata olives | ½ cup |
With these ingredients, you can make a tasty pasta salad for any event.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing
This zesty pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes is perfect for many occasions. It’s great for summer picnics, potluck gatherings, or meal prep. This versatile recipe will surely impress everyone.
The crowd-pleasing taste and easy prep make it a top choice. Sun-dried tomatoes, flavorful dressing, and pasta come together. This creates a dish that looks good and tastes amazing.
This potluck friendly and meal prep friendly pasta salad is very adaptable. You can make it for big gatherings or prep for the week. It’s easy to adjust the recipe to fit your needs.
The Italian Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad recipe received an average rating of 4.80 out of 5 from user reviews, showcasing its widespread appeal.
Prep and cook time is just 20 minutes. This zesty pasta salad saves you time. It’s perfect for any event, from picnics to potlucks.
Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes
The star of this pasta salad is the sun-dried tomatoes. These flavorful, Mediterranean-inspired gems add a rich, intense taste. The tangy dressing, made with sun-dried tomato oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard, complements the other ingredients. This vegetarian-friendly recipe is sure to please any crowd.
The recipe calls for 1 pound of bow tie pasta, cooked according to the package instructions. The dressing is made with 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 2 cloves of garlic, and other savory ingredients. Once the pasta is cooked and cooled, it’s tossed with the tangy dressing, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and fresh basil leaves.
With a total of 740 calories per serving, this pasta salad packs a nutritional punch. It’s a great source of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. It provides 80.84g of carbs, 7.6g of fiber, and 25.13g of protein per serving. The dish also contains 1177IU of Vitamin A and 19.6mg of Vitamin C, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or looking for a wholesome, vegetarian-friendly dish, this sun dried tomato pasta salad is sure to impress. Its Mediterranean-inspired flavors and vibrant appearance make it a true crowd-pleaser.
Customizable Options
This zesty pasta salad is super versatile. You can make it your own by adding your favorite customizable recipe ingredients and protein options. It’s a great way to get creative in the kitchen.
Variations and Additions
Want to try something new? Add these tasty add-ins to your pasta salad:
- Crisp, briny olives
- Crumbled feta cheese for a creamy tang
- Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant
- For extra protein, diced chicken or chickpeas
Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta. This way, everyone can enjoy it, even those with dietary restrictions.
This customizable recipe lets you make it just right for you. It’s perfect for any gathering, because everyone can find something they like.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this zesty pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes is easy. It only takes 15 minutes to prepare. This no-cook recipe is great for busy weeknights or summer gatherings.
- Cook the rotini pasta until it’s al dente. Then, drain and rinse it with cold water to cool.
- In a small bowl, mix the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and black pepper. This makes the dressing.
- In a large bowl, put the cooled pasta, sliced red onion, chickpeas, baby spinach, green olives, and feta cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently. This coats everything evenly.
Follow these easy to follow instructions and you’ll have this tasty no-cook recipe ready fast. The sun-dried tomatoes, tangy feta, and zesty dressing make it a hit.
“This pasta salad is the perfect balance of flavors – the sun-dried tomatoes add a wonderful sweetness, while the feta and olives provide a nice salty contrast. It’s a real winner!”
Make-Ahead Tips
This make-ahead salad gets even tastier with time. The storage tips help keep it fresh. Just toss the chilled pasta with the Italian dressing for a ready-to-eat meal.
Keeping it Fresh and Juicy
Storing the pasta salad parts separately is key. Here’s how:
- Make the pasta salad up to 3 days ahead and keep the pasta and dressing apart in the fridge.
- When you’re ready, mix the pasta with the dressing and add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
- If it’s a bit dry, add some sun-dried tomato oil or extra virgin olive oil.
These storage tips let you enjoy this make-ahead salad all week. It stays fresh and delicious.
Serving Suggestions
This zesty pasta salad is perfect for many occasions. It’s great for summer barbecues or picnics. The sun-dried tomato flavor makes it a hit with everyone.
As a main dish, it goes well with grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak. It’s a full meal by itself. For a side dish, it pairs well with burgers, hot dogs, roasted veggies, and grilled fish.
This pasta salad is also picnic-friendly. It’s great chilled, at room temperature, or lightly warmed. It’s perfect for outdoor events. Take it to the park, beach, or your backyard BBQ.
| Serving Idea | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Main Dish | Pair with grilled proteins like chicken, shrimp, or steak |
| Side Dish | Serve alongside burgers, hot dogs, roasted veggies, and grilled fish |
| Picnic-Friendly | Enjoy chilled, at room temperature, or lightly warmed |
No matter how you serve it, this zesty pasta salad will be a hit. Its fresh taste and versatility make it great for any occasion. It’s perfect as a main dish, side dish, or picnic-friendly option.
Conclusion
This Zesty Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes is a must-try. It combines delicious flavors and textures. The sun-dried tomatoes add a rich taste that goes well with the fresh ingredients.
It’s perfect for a quick, healthy meal or a summer gathering. This pasta salad will become a favorite in your kitchen.
You can customize this recipe to your liking. Add protein or change the grain for endless options. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead, great for busy days or meal prep.
In short, this Zesty Pasta Salad is tasty and good for you. It’s colorful, flavorful, and easy to make. Try it out and enjoy the mix of sun-dried tomatoes, chickpeas, and fresh herbs.