Basil Balsamic Pasta Salad Recipes

BALSAMIC BASIL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil your pasta. While your pasta is cooking, make your dressing. Whisk together the vinegar, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper. While still whisking, drizzle in your olive oil. Once fully combined, set aside.
• When the pasta is done cooking, drain well then add a few tablespoons of the dressing to the pasta to prevent sticking and refrigerate until cold in a large bowl - this makes about 13 cups so be sure to have a big enough bowl! (Hot Tip: Don't rinse your pasta in cold water after cooking, removing the outer starch can keep the dressing from sticking well to it!)
• Add the remaining ingredients to the pasta (you may need to give the dressing another good whisking before adding if the oil has separated). You can serve this right away, but it's even better if it can have some time to marinate in the fridge! Once it's refrigerated, I like to let it sit on the counter for a few (the olive oil will thicken in the fridge and setting it out re-liquifies it) then give it a good stir before serving.

BASIL-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar, basil, garlic and a generous pinch of salt in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing. Whisk in a couple turns of freshly ground black pepper.

BASIL AND BALSAMIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil the pasta until al dente. Strain and rinse with cold water immediately to stop from continued cooking.
• Once pasta is fulled cooled (as in cold), pour pasta into a large mixing bowl. Add the entire bottle of dressing, the mozzarella chopped into about 1/2 inch cubes, basil, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes and green onions. Mix together and taste. Add ground black pepper and kosher salt to taste. You'll probably only need very little if any salt. It depends on the brand of dressing you buy.
• Let sit in the fridge at least 2 hours. Fold in parmigiano cheese, cucumber and chopped avocado right before you serve.

BALSAMIC TOMATO-BASIL PASTA

Steps:

• Prep the tomatoes, garlic, etc-- before boiling the pasta.
• Boil pasta while making the rest of the dish.
• Saute garlic in olive oil.
• Add tomatoes and cover, simmering for 7-10 minutes with the balsamic vinegar and seasonings until tomatoes fall apart.
• Cut basil leaves and toss all ingredients together, including Parmesan cheese.
• Serve additional Parmesan on the side, if desired.

BALSAMIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk first 6 ingredients together to prepare the dressing mix, set aside.
• Cook the pasta of your choice.
• While pasta is cooking, chop broccoli and blanch for 2 minutes.
• Combine cooked pasta, blanched broccoli, chopped red pepper and sliced green onion.
• Pour dressing mix on top of pasta mixture; toss to coat.
• Chill until ready to serve.
• **Note: Preparation can be accomplished while pasta is cooking, making this a very quick dish**.

BASIL BALSAMIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions on package.
• While pasta is cooking, chop basil leaves and spinach into thin strips and cut tomatoes into halves.
• Toss chopped spinach and tomatoes into a bowl with the basil.
• Toss cooked pasta with balsamic vinaigrette, add to the bowl and finish with grated Parmesan.