Easy Pasta Salad

Many Italians prefer to eat their pasta hot. So, what’s up with this easy pasta salad that is served cold and where did it come from?

Pasta Salad emerged in the United States in the mid 20th century. This is likely due to the difference in climate and nature of American gatherings.

Cookouts and Barbecues are common in the US. One can imagine that on a hot summer’s afternoon, someone concocted the idea for a Pasta Salad and started the pasta salad movement. Well, that’s how I imagined it.

This Easy Pasta Salad will become a staple in your home. In this recipe, we are using a vinaigrette to coat the pasta as well as some of our favorite veggies. This vinegar-based salad dressing offers a fresh and light taste. Our pasta of choice was Fusili pasta. However, you could use Penne or macaroni.

Ingredients to Make Easy Pasta Salad

Fusili, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Onions, Olives, Feta Cheese.

This Mediterranean pasta salad uses fusilli with juicy tomatoes, bell peppers, thinly chopped onions and crisp cucumbers. The briny olives accentuate the creamy mozzarella and feta cheese. Tossed in a delicious vinaigrette, this salad offers a blend of fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors.

Worcestershire sauce, Apple cider vinegar, Black Olive brine, White Onion Powder, Dried Oregano, Olive oil, Parmesan Cheese, Honey, Salt and Pepper.

The salad dressing uses Worcestershire sauce which has multi layered flavors such as clove, chili pepper, garlic and tamarind, this composition of ingredients adds a complex depth to the taste of the salad. Apple cider vinegar has a tangy sweetness. Dried oregano, white onion powder, honey, salt and pepper creates a salad dressing that is seasoned perfectly.

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Add water to a pot, add salt and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the fusili pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Check to see if it has reached al dente consistency. Drain the pasta, and let the pasta cool for a 5 minutes.

Create the Salad Dressing: In a bowl, add the Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil brine from the olive oil jar, make sure it is a salt brine and not a vinegary one, as this recipe has vinegar. Add the White onion powder, oregano, grated Parmesan cheese, honey, olive oil, salt & pepper. Whisk well.

Cut the veggies: Rough Chop the bell pepper, slice the cucumber as shown, slice the cherry tomatoes in half and cut the onions into tiny cubes. Add the black olives into the pasta. If you have a choice, use the olives that have had their seeds removed, as it is easier to eat. Add the salad dressing and mix up your super easy pasta salad.

Store in the fridge until you are ready to eat. It is best to consume the salad within a few hours.

What can you Serve with the Easy Pasta Salad?

You can serve this Easy pasta salad with Rib-Eye steak, Grilled Fish, Grilled Chicken, Barbecue, take it to a family cookout and eat a variety of other dishes.

How to Store the Easy Pasta Salad?

If you are making a large batch of pasta salad and want to eat it throughout the week. You can totally do that, just don’t add the dressing and store the washed veggies separate to the pasta.

The salad dressing can also be stored in the refrigerator. Place the veggies in an airtight container. Store the cooked & cooled pasta in another Tupperware. Place the salad dressing a little container and you are good to go! We don’t recommend freezing any of it.