This is an easy recipe that can be varied to use the ingredients you have on hand. It's a tasty accompaniment (great with hamburgers!) or, if made with tortellini, could even be a light supper.
Pasta Salad, Italian Style
Dry pasta (any small shape), 8 ounces--or frozen cheese tortellini, about 13 ounces
Olive oil, about 1/4 cup
Fresh garlic, about 3 cloves, minced
Fresh basil, about 3 tablespoons, cut into strips
Balsamic vinegar, about 1/4 cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional additions: tomatoes, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella cheese, olives, pepperoni, etc., all cut into small bite-size pieces
Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, mix olive oil and garlic in small bowl. Drain pasta and transfer to medium bowl; add balsamic vinegar and mix to coat. Add oil mixture and remaining ingredients; mix to coat. Chill thoroughly.
Notes: I usually make this with tortellini and tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella if I have it on hand. This weekend I used the ingredients I had: pasta and pepperoni. The pasta version is much less expensive, because most of the ingredients are staples in my kitchen.
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this would be great for a weekly night meal or on the weekend
ReplyDeleteI love love LOVE any kind of pasta salad...this sounds great!!
ReplyDeleteThe PERFECT summer salad, no? I love it too! Thanks for the reminder! Thanks for visiting my blog and good luck on trying the chicken cordon bleu!
ReplyDeleteI prepared pasta salad for Memorial Day! I switch between balsamic and red wine vinegars, depending on my entree. Yes, it is great with burgers.
ReplyDeleteSounds yummy. Great for summer.
ReplyDeleteLove all the options! My daughter is a huge fan of pasta salad - sure she would love this one!
ReplyDeleteThat looks awesome! We love Pasta Salad at our house! Thanks for stopping by my blog and checking out my Black Forest Cupcakes!
ReplyDelete~Liz
Looks delicious! I'm definitely going to try this. :-)
ReplyDelete