Quick and Easy Pasta Salad (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
500 grams of dried pasta, such as penne, fusilli, rotelle, or farfalle.
02 -
150 grams of halved cherry tomatoes.
03 -
1 medium-sized red, yellow, or green bell pepper, thinly sliced.
04 -
1/2 medium zucchini, cut into skinny slices (about 1 cup).
05 -
A handful of parsley or fresh basil, roughly chopped (optional).
06 -
50 grams of grated hard cheese, like Parmesan.
07 -
75 grams (about 1/3 cup) of mixed olives, sliced and pitted.
08 -
6 to 7 scallions (green onions), sliced finely (about 1/3 cup).
09 -
150 grams of mozzarella balls (chopped if needed).
10 -
Optional: 1/4 cup of sliced banana peppers or pepperoncini.
11 -
3 tablespoons of vinegar: red wine, champagne, or white wine type.
12 -
A pinch of sea salt, with more added if required.
13 -
A pinch of freshly ground black pepper for seasoning.
14 -
Half a teaspoon of oregano (dried).
15 -
Optional: A couple of spoonfuls of juice from a jar of pepperoncini.
16 -
120 ml (half a cup) of extra virgin olive oil.
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat up a big pot of salted water until boiling. Toss in the dry pasta and let it cook until it’s just right—this should take about 6 to 10 minutes, depending on what the pasta package suggests.
02 -
While waiting for the pasta, whip up the dressing inside a big bowl. Mix together the vinegar, olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper, and the optional pepperoncini juice until it’s smooth.
03 -
Once the pasta is ready, drain it and run a little cold water over it to cool it down. Add this pasta to your prepared dressing and stir it all around so the dressing coats everything evenly.
04 -
Add the bell pepper, zucchini slices, cherry tomatoes, scallions, olives, mozzarella, and grated cheese to the pasta, then stir well. You can toss in the optional herbs or peppers as well.
05 -
Give the salad a taste test. Adjust with extra salt or pepper if needed. For even better flavor, chill it in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving.
06 -
This dish can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. The flavors get better the longer it sits!
# Notes:
01 -
Flavor develops wonderfully if this salad is made in advance.
02 -
Hold back a bit of the dressing separately and mix it in fresh right before serving for an extra kick.
03 -
Feel free to be creative—swap in your favorite veggies, cheeses, or whatever is fresh.