Description
A refreshing Italian pasta salad with a secret ingredient that adds a unique twist to the classic recipe. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (secret ingredient)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, cucumber, basil, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta to the vegetable mixture and pour dressing over it. Toss to combine.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the salad for 2 hours before serving.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 5mg