Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Italian pasta salad featuring a secret ingredient that elevates its flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (your choice)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup mozzarella balls
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 secret ingredient: 1/4 cup pesto
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and pesto.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.
- This salad can be made a day in advance for better flavor.
- Adjust the amount of pesto based on your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg