4.8 from 18 votes
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
This pasta salad recipe lets the abundance of fresh summer produce shine, using fresh tomatoes and basil. It's a great salad for a picnic!
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Additional Time
2 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
10
servings
Calories:
408 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
for the pasta salad:
- 1 lb. curly cavatappi pasta pretty campanelle, or rotini, larger sized pasta
- kosher salt
- olive oil
- 1 lb. cherry tomato quartered
- ¾ c. kalamata olives pitted and sliced
- 2 tsp. capers
- 1 lb. fresh mozzarella medium-diced (or just use mozzarella pearls.)
- ⅓ c. sun-dried tomato drained, chopped, in oil
- 1 c. basil leaves julienned, fresh, packed
- ⅓ c. pine nuts optional but highly recommended, toasted
for the dressing:
- ½ c. sun-dried tomatoes drained, in oil
- ¼ c. red wine vinegar
- ⅓ c. olive oil
- 1 garlic diced, large clove
- 1 tsp. capers drained
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- ¾ tsp. black pepper freshly ground
- 1 c. Parmesan Cheese finely shredded
Instructions
- For the pasta salad: Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of olive oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil according to the directions on the package, taking care to not overcook. Pasta should be tender, yet firm. Place pasta in a colander in the sink, and run cold water over it. Drain well and allow to cool.
- Place pasta in a large bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, capers, mozzarella, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- For the dressing: Combine sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor until almost smooth. If you have an immersion blender, this also works great.
- To assemble pasta salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta. Fold to combine. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese, basil, and optional pine nuts, and toss well.
- This salad keeps well, so you can make it early in the day. Add the Parmesan, basil and optional pine nuts just before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- adapted from Ina Garten’s “Barefoot Contessa Family Style”
Nutrition Information
Serving
1
Calories
408kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
27g
(9%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
16g
(94%)
Cholesterol
35mg
(12%)
Sodium
1001mg
(42%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 408
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 408kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16g | 94% |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 1001mg | 42% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.