Imagine a vibrant, refreshing dish that captures the essence of Italian summer in every single bite! This Italian Pasta Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette is not just a recipe, it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner, this salad will transport you straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy with its zesty dressing and colorful medley of fresh ingredients.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- Pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Black olives, sliced
- Bell pepper, diced
- Red onion, diced
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Garlic, minced
- Red wine vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: fusilli or rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, bell pepper, red onion, Parmesan cheese, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the black olives, dice the bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion. Place all the chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Allow the pasta to drain thoroughly.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables. Gently toss to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, prepare the garlic vinaigrette. Whisk together the minced garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pour the garlic vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Grate the Parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the pasta salad. Toss gently to incorporate the cheese.
- Taste the pasta salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, give the salad a final toss. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Fusilli or rotini work best because their spiral shapes hold the dressing beautifully.
- Salt your pasta water generously - it's your first chance to add flavor!
- Always rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping.
- Let the salad marinate for at least 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.
- For best results, use fresh, high-quality ingredients like ripe cherry tomatoes and good olive oil.
- The salad can be made a day ahead, which allows the flavors to develop even more intensely.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for the most authentic Italian experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 10mg
