A vibrant and flavorful pasta salad featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh vegetables, and a tangy balsamic dressing, perfect for a quick lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
16ozshort pasta (rigatoni, rotini, bow tie, etc.)
3ozbaby spinach
10ozcherry tomatoes (halved)
8.5ozsun-dried tomatoes in oil with Italian herbs (oil drained)
0.5smallred onion (small diced)
0.5cupshredded parmesan (shaved or grated)
8ozmozzarella pearls
1/3cupchopped basil (packed)
1/3cupextra virgin olive oil (or enough to make 2/3 cup with oil from tomatoes)
1/3cupoil drained from sun-dried tomatoes
2Tbalsamic vinegar (regular or white)
2clovesgarlic (minced)
1tspItalian seasoning
0.5tspPepper
0.5tspSalt (more or less to taste)
Instructions
Cook pasta al dente, drain, and toss with spinach to wilt. Cool slightly.
Mix pasta with basil, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, and mozzarella.
Whisk dressing ingredients and toss with pasta. Chill for 30 minutes, then toss again before serving.
Notes
Adjust salt and pepper to taste. For a creamier texture, add more mozzarella or a splash of cream.