Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
Yield: 10 servings
This pasta salad recipe lets the abundance of fresh summer produce shine, using fresh tomatoes and basil. It's a great salad for a picnic!
Equipment
Ingredients
for the pasta salad:
- 1 lb. larger sized pasta - I like to use curly cavatappi pretty campanelle, or rotini
- kosher salt
- olive oil
- 1 lb. cherry tomatoes quartered
- ¾ c. kalamata olives pitted and sliced
- 2 tsp. capers
- 1 lb. fresh mozzarella medium-diced (or just use mozzarella pearls.)
- ⅓ c. chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained
- 1 c. packed fresh basil leaves julienned
- ⅓ c. toasted pine nuts optional but highly recommended
for the dressing:
- ½ c. sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained
- ¼ c. red wine vinegar
- ⅓ c. olive oil
- 1 large garlic clove diced
- 1 tsp. capers drained
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- ¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 c. finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- For the pasta salad: Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of olive oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil according to the directions on the package, taking care to not overcook. Pasta should be tender, yet firm. Place pasta in a colander in the sink, and run cold water over it. Drain well and allow to cool.
- Place pasta in a large bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, capers, mozzarella, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- For the dressing: Combine sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor until almost smooth. If you have an immersion blender, this also works great.
- To assemble pasta salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta. Fold to combine. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese, basil, and optional pine nuts, and toss well.
- This salad keeps well, so you can make it early in the day. Add the Parmesan, basil and optional pine nuts just before serving.
Notes
adapted from Ina Garten’s “Barefoot Contessa Family Style”
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1 Calories: 408kcal Carbohydrates: 27g Protein: 17g Fat: 26g Saturated Fat: 8g Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g Cholesterol: 35mg Sodium: 1001mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 2g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.