Balsamic Basil Pasta Salad Recipes

BALSAMIC BASIL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil your pasta. While your pasta is cooking, make your dressing. Whisk together the vinegar, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper. While still whisking, drizzle in your olive oil. Once fully combined, set aside.
• When the pasta is done cooking, drain well then add a few tablespoons of the dressing to the pasta to prevent sticking and refrigerate until cold in a large bowl - this makes about 13 cups so be sure to have a big enough bowl! (Hot Tip: Don't rinse your pasta in cold water after cooking, removing the outer starch can keep the dressing from sticking well to it!)
• Add the remaining ingredients to the pasta (you may need to give the dressing another good whisking before adding if the oil has separated). You can serve this right away, but it's even better if it can have some time to marinate in the fridge! Once it's refrigerated, I like to let it sit on the counter for a few (the olive oil will thicken in the fridge and setting it out re-liquifies it) then give it a good stir before serving.

SPAGHETTI SALAD WITH BALSAMIC AND BASIL DRESSING

Steps:

• 1. Cook pasta to desired doneness as directed on the package.
• 2. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• 3. In a bowl, combine cooked and cooled pasta with the remaining salad ingredients.
• 4. In a small jar with lid, combine dressing ingredients. Shake well.
• 5. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Chill for 8 hours or overnight.

BASIL-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar, basil, garlic and a generous pinch of salt in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing. Whisk in a couple turns of freshly ground black pepper.

BALSAMIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk first 6 ingredients together to prepare the dressing mix, set aside.
• Cook the pasta of your choice.
• While pasta is cooking, chop broccoli and blanch for 2 minutes.
• Combine cooked pasta, blanched broccoli, chopped red pepper and sliced green onion.
• Pour dressing mix on top of pasta mixture; toss to coat.
• Chill until ready to serve.
• **Note: Preparation can be accomplished while pasta is cooking, making this a very quick dish**.

CLASSIC PASTA SALAD WITH MOZZARELLA, AVOCADO AND BASIL

Steps:

• To prepare the dressing, in a large bowl, whisk together shallot, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk in oil. Taste and add more salt and-or lemon juice if needed.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just al dente, usually a minute less than the package instructions. Drain well. While still warm, add the pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss well. Let pasta cool, soaking up the dressing.
• In a medium bowl, gently toss together avocado, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
• Just before serving, add tomato, cucumber, mozzarella and Parmesan to the bowl with the pasta and toss well. Gently fold in avocado and basil.
• Drizzle with olive oil, cracked black pepper and salt to taste before serving.