Description
This Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or a refreshing side at gatherings. Combining al dente pasta with fresh baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and a tangy dressing infused with sun-dried tomato oil and herbs, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Ready in just 25 minutes and serving 12, it’s an ideal make-ahead dish that tastes even better after chilling.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 16 oz. short pasta (rigatoni, rotini, bow tie, etc.)
- 3 oz. baby spinach
- 10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, small diced
- 1/3 cup chopped basil, packed
Cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 8 oz. mozzarella pearls
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- 1 jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil with Italian herbs, 8.5 oz (oil drained)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup oil drained from sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and immediately toss it with baby spinach so the residual heat wilts the spinach. Rinse the pasta-spinach mixture with cool water or allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes to stop cooking and cool down for the salad.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and spinach with chopped basil, diced red onion, drained sun-dried tomatoes, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded parmesan, and mozzarella pearls to create the salad base.
- Make Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, drained sun-dried tomato oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt until fully emulsified and flavorful.
- Toss Salad: Pour three-quarters of the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly. Cover and chill the salad for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, toss the salad again with the remaining dressing for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use short pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini to hold the dressing and ingredients well.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavors and gives a refreshing taste, perfect for warm days.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing to your taste preference.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator to deepen flavors.
- If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, reduce the cloves to one or use roasted garlic.
