Mediterranean Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
15 mins
-
Total Time
25 mins
-
Servings
4 people
-
Calories
382 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Description
This Mediterranean Pasta Salad features fusilli pasta cooked and cooled to hold the dressing well. Asparagus is lightly browned in a skillet to add a hint of caramelization and texture, while mixed seeds are toasted dry in a pan, with an optional splash of soy sauce to add umami depth. Fresh ingredients such as halved cherry tomatoes, sliced radishes, chopped basil, rocket, cucumber, black olives, corn, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes combine to create a colorful and flavorful mixture.
The dressing, made from extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt, is tossed with the salad to evenly coat all components. This pasta salad offers a variety of textures from the tender pasta, crunchy seeds, and fresh vegetables, balancing mild acidity, sweetness, and herbaceous notes. It is suitable as a side salad for meals or as a light standalone dish, especially in warmer weather.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fusilli pasta
- A handful asparagus
- ¼ cup mixed seeds
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce optional
- 2 handfuls cherry tomato
- 1 cucumber
- 5-6 radish small
- 5-6 basil leaves
- 1 handful rocket
- ¼ cup black olives
- ¼ cup corn
- 4-5 sun-dried tomatoes
Pasta Salad Dressing
- 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt a pinch
Instructions
- Cook the pasta following the package instructions. Drain the set aside.
- Cut the asparagus into 1-inch long pieces and cook on a skillet with a little bit of oil until they start to brown. Set aside.
- Add the seeds without oil to a small frying pan and toast for a few minutes, stirring often so they toast evenly. It shouldn't take more than 3-4 minutes, depending on the temperature at which you set the cooker. At this point, you can add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and stir one last time with the heat off already. This adds a delicious flavor to your seeds.
- Prepare the fresh vegetables: slice the cherry tomatoes in halves, slice the radish, wash and finely chop the green leaves, slice the cucumber, and cut the sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces.
- Place all the fresh ingredients in a large mixing bowl: tomatoes, radishes, green leaves, and cucumber. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, corn, pasta, asparagus and seeds.
- Prepare the dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and a pinch of salt using a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
- Garnish the pasta salad with sesame seeds, some lemon zest, or even edible flowers!
- Leave the pasta salad to chill in the fridge for some time before serving it, or serve it immediately.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 382 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 382kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 71g | 24% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Sodium | 148mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 530mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 458IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 51mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
