Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill time: at least 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Pasta:
- 12 ounces gluten-free pasta (choose your favorite shape: rotini, fusilli, penne)
Vegetables:
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
Protein (optional):
- 1 cup cubed cooked chicken or ham
- 1 cup chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup cubed mozzarella or feta cheese
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Fresh Herbs (optional):
- Chopped fresh basil, parsley, or oregano
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta: Follow package directions for al dente pasta. Drain, rinse with cool water, and set aside.
- Prep the veggies: While the pasta cooks, chop all your vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Combine the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, any optional protein you’d like to add, and the dressing. Toss well to coat.
- Chill and marinate: Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes (or preferably, a few hours). This allows flavors to blend and pasta to slightly absorb the dressing.
- Serve: Taste the pasta salad and adjust seasonings if needed. Add fresh herbs just before serving, if desired.
Customization Tips
- Veggies: Add anything you love! Roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, broccoli florets… get creative!
- Protein: Use shredded rotisserie chicken, crumbled Italian sausage, diced salami, or keep it vegetarian.
- Cheese: Try cubed cheddar, provolone, or crumbled goat cheese.
- Dressing: Go for a creamy base with bottled Italian dressing or a pesto vinaigrette instead.
Important Notes:
- Don’t overcook your pasta: Mushy pasta is nobody’s friend in a pasta salad!
- Choose good-quality gluten-free pasta: Some brands hold their shape better than others.
- The longer it chills, the better it gets: This salad is perfect to make ahead.
