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Prep Time
10 min Min
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Cook Time
5 min Min
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Serves
3
Introducing the perfect pasta salad for summer barbecues, family potlucks, and dinner parties: the creamy Italian pasta salad.
This classic dish is quick to make and tastes delicious. It's perfect for the hot weather when you don't want to spend too long cooking in the kitchen.It's a flavourful combination of Italian ingredients such as mushrooms, olives, red onion, and capers. Tossed together with a creamy dressing made of mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese, this salad is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.
And if that wasn't enough to convince you - it's incredibly easy to make! In no time at all you'll have a wonderful side dish that will instantly impress dinner guests or picnic-goers. So don't hesitate - follow our easy steps to make this creamy Italian pasta salad in minutes and enjoy!
Ingredients
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Directions
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Step 1Once you have gathered the ingredients, you can move on to making the dish. Boil the pasta in salted water for 10 minutes until it's al dente. Once done, strain and leave aside to cool down. Meanwhile, chop the bell pepper into thin slices and grate the Parmesan cheese. In a bowl, mix together the white sauce, sundried tomatoes, bell peppers and Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix everything together until combined. Once done, add some fresh basil leaves for extra flavor and toss everything together in the cooled-down pasta. And there you have it! A delicious creamy Italian pasta salad ready in minutes!
Making the Creamy Italian Dressing
Making the Creamy Italian Dressing is the key to unlocking the flavor of this pasta salad. It's a simple blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, sugar, and parmesan. For a little added richness and creaminess, you can also add some mayo or Greek yogurt.
To make the dressing, start by combining the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a bowl. Whisk together until blended and then add in the Italian seasoning, sugar and parmesan cheese. Whisk to combine all the ingredients until a smooth dressing is created. If desired, you can add in some mayo or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
Once the dressing is prepared, it's time to assemble your pasta salad!
Adding Fresh Vegetables: Bell Peppers, Cucumber and Tomato
Adding a variety of fresh vegetables to your Creamy Italian Pasta Salad will give it a nutritious punch, making it the perfect summer side dish.
Pro Tip: For an even tastier salad, use a combination of colorful bell peppers, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes!
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers come in several different colors, from red to yellow to green. Each color of bell pepper offers its own unique flavor profile and nutritional benefits. When adding bell peppers to your pasta salad, opt for colorful varieties. This will add extra flavor and an attractive presentation.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are known for their crunchy texture and mild flavor. When adding cucumbers to your pasta salad, be sure to cut them into small pieces or cubes so they are easier to eat and won’t overpower the other flavors in the salad.
Tomato
Tomatoes are a great way to add some sweetness and flavor to your pasta salad. Cherry tomatoes can be added whole or sliced into quarters depending on how much you want them to stand out in the dish. Be sure not to overcook them since they are delicate and will get mushy if cooked for too long!
Mixing in Italian Flavor: Olives, Basil and Parmesan
When we think of Italian pasta salads, the combination of olives, basil and parmesan come to mind. Mixing these delicious ingredients into your pasta salad is what will take it to the next level!
To get started, select your favorite olives from the deli section of your grocery store and chop them up. Then, add in some freshly sliced or torn basil leaves for an extra intense flavor. Finally, top it off with a generous sprinkling of freshly-grated parmesan cheese for that unique Italian flavor.
This combination of ingredients adds texture and flavor while adding some protein from the olives and Parmesan that will help keep you full for longer after your meal. All in all, this simple mix-in takes your pasta salad to the next level— just the perfect amount of Italian-inspired creamy goodness in minutes!
Chilling and Serving the Italian Pasta Salad
Now that your homemade Italian pasta salad is ready, it's time to chill and serve! Start by transferring the salad to a shallow storage container or bowl and refrigerating it for roughly an hour. This will allow the flavors to infuse and combine to give the dish an extra boost of flavor.
When it's time to serve, portion out the Italian pasta salad into individual bowls or plates and top with your favorite toppings. For added crunch, try sprinkling on some crushed red pepper flakes, diced bell peppers, or shredded parmesan cheese.
If you're looking for more of a kick in your pasta salad, add some diced chorizo or bacon bits for a smokier flavor. You can also mix in some chopped tomatoes for extra texture and nutrition. Finally, finish off your Italian pasta salad with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper – perfect for any summer dinner party!
Conclusion
Take your next dinner party to the Italian countryside with this creamy, delicious Italian pasta salad. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and can be served as a side dish or a main course. Your guests will be delighted with the combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a delightful creamy dressing that will transform the standard pasta salad to the next level.
Making the Creamy Italian Dressing
Making the Creamy Italian Dressing is the key to unlocking the flavor of this pasta salad. It's a simple blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, sugar, and parmesan. For a little added richness and creaminess, you can also add some mayo or Greek yogurt.
To make the dressing, start by combining the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a bowl. Whisk together until blended and then add in the Italian seasoning, sugar and parmesan cheese. Whisk to combine all the ingredients until a smooth dressing is created. If desired, you can add in some mayo or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
Once the dressing is prepared, it's time to assemble your pasta salad!
Adding Fresh Vegetables: Bell Peppers, Cucumber and Tomato
Adding a variety of fresh vegetables to your Creamy Italian Pasta Salad will give it a nutritious punch, making it the perfect summer side dish.
Pro Tip: For an even tastier salad, use a combination of colorful bell peppers, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes!
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers come in several different colors, from red to yellow to green. Each color of bell pepper offers its own unique flavor profile and nutritional benefits. When adding bell peppers to your pasta salad, opt for colorful varieties. This will add extra flavor and an attractive presentation.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are known for their crunchy texture and mild flavor. When adding cucumbers to your pasta salad, be sure to cut them into small pieces or cubes so they are easier to eat and won’t overpower the other flavors in the salad.
Tomato
Tomatoes are a great way to add some sweetness and flavor to your pasta salad. Cherry tomatoes can be added whole or sliced into quarters depending on how much you want them to stand out in the dish. Be sure not to overcook them since they are delicate and will get mushy if cooked for too long!
Mixing in Italian Flavor: Olives, Basil and Parmesan
When we think of Italian pasta salads, the combination of olives, basil and parmesan come to mind. Mixing these delicious ingredients into your pasta salad is what will take it to the next level!
To get started, select your favorite olives from the deli section of your grocery store and chop them up. Then, add in some freshly sliced or torn basil leaves for an extra intense flavor. Finally, top it off with a generous sprinkling of freshly-grated parmesan cheese for that unique Italian flavor.
This combination of ingredients adds texture and flavor while adding some protein from the olives and Parmesan that will help keep you full for longer after your meal. All in all, this simple mix-in takes your pasta salad to the next level— just the perfect amount of Italian-inspired creamy goodness in minutes!
Chilling and Serving the Italian Pasta Salad
Now that your homemade Italian pasta salad is ready, it's time to chill and serve! Start by transferring the salad to a shallow storage container or bowl and refrigerating it for roughly an hour. This will allow the flavors to infuse and combine to give the dish an extra boost of flavor.
When it's time to serve, portion out the Italian pasta salad into individual bowls or plates and top with your favorite toppings. For added crunch, try sprinkling on some crushed red pepper flakes, diced bell peppers, or shredded parmesan cheese.
If you're looking for more of a kick in your pasta salad, add some diced chorizo or bacon bits for a smokier flavor. You can also mix in some chopped tomatoes for extra texture and nutrition. Finally, finish off your Italian pasta salad with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper – perfect for any summer dinner party!
Conclusion
Take your next dinner party to the Italian countryside with this creamy, delicious Italian pasta salad. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and can be served as a side dish or a main course. Your guests will be delighted with the combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a delightful creamy dressing that will transform the standard pasta salad to the next level.
Video Tutorial
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