Mop It Up Pasta Salad Recipes

MOP-IT-UP PASTA SALAD MUSHROOMS, PEPPERS AND ONIONS PASTA SALAD WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water on to boil for pasta.
• Combine roasted peppers, garlic, pine nuts, parsley, salt and pepper and cheese in a food processor. Turn the processor on and stream in the extra-virgin olive oil to form a thick, pasty sauce forms. Adjust seasoning and transfer sauce to a large bowl.
• Add salt to boiling water and cook pasta to al dente, drain and cool under running cold water. Drain well a second time. Add cooked, cooled pasta to the pesto sauce. Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss to coat salad evenly. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste and serve or chill up to 48 hours.

MOP-IT-UP PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS, ONIONS, AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat a pot of water to a boil for pasta. Season the water with some salt and add pasta. Cook the pasta al dente, or with a bite to it.
• Preheat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the EVOO and crimini mushrooms. Sauté until they start to become tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then add the garlic, stir for 30 seconds, and add the onion and fresh peppers. Season the MOP (mushrooms, onions, and peppers) with salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes more. Add the chopped hot peppers and a splash of their juice from the jar. Add the marinated mushrooms next and toss to combine.
• Drain pasta and add to the MOP. Toss the whole thing together with the parsley and cheese and serve immediately.