Description
This Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes is a flavorful and colorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal. The combination of pasta, fresh and sun dried tomatoes, olives, and a zesty dressing creates a delicious and satisfying salad.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 1 pound Pasta any shape (such as rotini)
- 1/2 cup Sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 2 cups Broccoli florets
- 1 Bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Red Onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Basil, chopped small
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup Oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
- 4 Tablespoon Lime juice or lemon juice
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced finely
- 1 Tablespoon Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Mustard powder (optional)
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and let cool to room temperature. Toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Broccoli: Boil broccoli for 3-4 minutes, then cool in ice water to retain color and texture.
- Prepare Dressing: Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a bowl.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes. Pour dressing over the salad, toss well, season to taste, then add basil.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate the salad for a couple of hours before serving.
Notes
- Cook the pasta al dente for best texture.
- Season the pasta water generously as it’s the only chance to flavor the pasta.
- Toss cooked pasta with olive oil to prevent clumping.
- Adjust dressing with extra olive oil if needed.
- Ensure pasta and broccoli are cooled before mixing with other ingredients.
- Keep extra dressing on hand to freshen up the salad before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 37mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg