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Fresh No-Mayo Italian Pasta Salad

no-mayo Italian pasta salad - featured image
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A light and refreshing Italian pasta salad without mayonnaise, perfect for summer picnics. It features crisp vegetables, a zesty homemade Italian dressing, and holds up well outdoors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • For the homemade dressing:
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Let drain for 5 minutes.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and red bell pepper, finely chop red onion, slice Kalamata olives, and chop fresh basil.
  3. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Toss the salad: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, olives, and basil. Pour dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, toss again and optionally garnish with extra basil or Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent gumminess. Chop vegetables uniformly for best texture. Add dressing gradually to avoid overdressing. Salad tastes better after chilling for a few hours. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Can substitute cucumber with zucchini or add seasonal vegetables. For vegan version, use vegan dressing and omit cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, no mayo pasta salad, summer salad, picnic recipe, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/fresh-no-mayo-italian-pasta-salad-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-summer-picnics/