Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

I’ve been experimenting with different pasta salad recipes lately, and I think I’ve found a winner. This Easy Pasta Salad combines simple ingredients like cherry tomatoes, olives, and a zesty dressing that really brings everything together. It’s quick to make and perfect for any occasion. If you’re curious about how to elevate your pasta salad game, there’s a special twist I can’t wait to share with you.

Pasta Salad With Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz fusilli, farfalle, or rotini pasta
• 1 pint fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup Castelvetrano or kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Optional: splash of pepperoncini brine

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down and remove excess starch.
2. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, olives, and minced garlic (if using) to the skillet. Sauté until the tomatoes burst and wrinkle, about 5-7 minutes.
3. While the tomatoes are cooking, prepare the pickled onions by mixing the thinly sliced red onion with lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of kosher salt in a bowl. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed cherry tomatoes and olives, pickled onions (drained), fresh basil, and parsley.
5. For the dressing, whisk together the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want a bit more tang, add a splash of pepperoncini brine.
6. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together until well combined. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
7. Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for about 1 hour before serving to enhance the flavors.

When making this pasta salad, I always keep in mind that the key to a delightful dish lies in the freshness of the ingredients. Using ripe cherry tomatoes and high-quality olives elevates the flavors significantly. Quick-pickled onions help to reduce sharpness and add a beautiful tang to the dish. I love to let the salad chill for a while in the fridge, as it allows the ingredients to meld beautifully together. Plus, if I’ve leftovers, they taste even better the next day!

This recipe is so versatile that I often mix in whatever fresh herbs I’ve on hand or even add in some veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch. Enjoy experimenting!