Salad days are here again, so why not take your taste buds on a picnic to the picturesque countryside of Tuscany with this delicious Italian pasta salad? Combine the goodness of pasta with some juicy olives, cheese, roasted sweet red and green peppers, as well as the herby, garlicky taste of pesto for some salad magic.
Use pasta with a good solid texture and shape to absorb the delicious pesto sauce. Rotini (or pasta screws) works – and tastes – like a charm, although penne will also do the trick.
This pasta recipe is very flexible. Why not mix in any of the following for some variety?
Good, spicy salami;
Cherry tomatoes;
Cucumber or
Mozzarella cheese.
CHEF’S TIP:
Let your salad “sit” before you serve it. This gives the dressing a chance to really permeate your veggies and pasta, resulting in a more flavourful and delicious Italian pasta salad!
It’s best not to make your Italian pasta salad the day before, because pasta salad tends to dry out if it is kept in the fridge for a long time. When you are ready to serve, or are eating leftovers, give the salad a good stir and add a tablespoon or two of the pesto sauce to moisten it again.
Irene Muller is a Mother of 5 and a Grandmother of 8 who loves nothing more than cooking great food for everyone. She writes recipes for several publications and really loves that people can try and enjoy her cooking. Irene Muller Muck Rack Profile, Irene Muller on Flipboard