epicurious4.5
Easy Pasta Salad
This classic pasta salad full of bright, tangy flavor and fresh vegetables is the perfect summery meal for any barbecue, picnic, potluck, or light dinner.
👥 6 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 35 min🔥 Cook: 15 min👤 Kelly Janke📖 epicurious
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- ●bowl
- ●pot
- ●colander
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Toss 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 garlic clove, finely grated, 1 lb. summer squash and/or zucchini, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise, ½ cup coarsely chopped banana peppers, 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, 1¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl to combine. Using your hands, gently massage vegetables to soften slightly. Let sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, ⏱️ 25 minutes.
medium red onion, thinly sliced1(packed) coarsely chopped basil, plus more for serving1 cupZest and juice of 1 lemon. summer squash and/or zucchini, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise1 lb. red wine vinegar3 Tbsp¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more1. freshly ground black pepper, plus more1 tsp
2
Cook 1 lb. orecchiette or other small pasta in a large pot of boiling heavily salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain in a colander, shaking to remove excess water.
. orecchiette or other small pasta1 lb(packed) coarsely chopped basil, plus more for serving1 cup
3
Add pasta, 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 cup halved pitted Kalamata olives, ½ cup finely grated Parmesan, and ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil to vegetable mixture; toss well to combine. Add 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces, 1 cup (packed) coarsely chopped basil, and ½ cup finely chopped oregano and toss gently just to incorporate. Taste pasta salad and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
pints cherry tomatoes, halved2(packed) coarsely chopped basil, plus more for serving1 cuphalved pitted Kalamata olives1 cup. fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces8 oz
4
Just before serving, top pasta salad with more Parmesan, basil, and oregano. Do ahead: Pasta salad (without toppings) can be made ⏱️ 5 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Editor’s note: Head this way for more of our favorite pasta recipes →
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