Description
A vibrant and flavorful Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad featuring al dente pasta, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and a zesty balsamic dressing infused with sun-dried tomato oil and herbs. Perfectly chilled and tossed to enhance every bite, this salad is an ideal make-ahead dish for potlucks, picnics, or light meals.
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
- 1 jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil with Italian herbs, 8.5 oz (oil drained)
Cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 8 oz. mozzarella pearls
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 al dente according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and immediately toss it with the fresh baby spinach to allow the spinach to wilt slightly. Then rinse the pasta and spinach mixture with cool water or let it cool for 15-20 minutes to stop cooking and cool down the salad base.
- Prepare Salad: In a large mixing 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. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Make Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, oil drained from the sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt until fully incorporated and emulsified to form a flavorful dressing.
- Toss Salad: Pour about three-quarters of the dressing over the pasta salad and toss well to coat all the ingredients. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Just before serving, toss the salad again with the remaining dressing for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overcooking the pasta; al dente is recommended to hold up well when chilled.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor blending but can be served immediately if necessary.
- You can substitute mozzarella pearls with cubed fresh mozzarella if preferred.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste after chilling, as flavors intensify.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored tightly covered in the refrigerator.
