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Easy Make-Ahead Grad Party Pasta Salad Recipe with Italian Herb Vinaigrette

make-ahead grad party pasta salad - featured image
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A quick, vibrant, and crowd-pleasing pasta salad featuring fresh veggies and a tangy homemade Italian Herb Vinaigrette. Perfect for making ahead and ideal for graduation parties or any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini or spiral pasta
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/3 cup olive oil (preferably fruity extra virgin)
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, finely chop 1 red bell pepper, and dice 1/4 cup of red onion. Pit and halve 1/2 cup of Kalamata olives if using. Add all to the bowl with pasta.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup (80 ml) olive oil, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon honey. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Chop 2 tablespoons each of basil, parsley, and oregano. Stir the herbs into the vinaigrette, then pour the dressing over the pasta and veggies. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  5. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and give it one last light toss (optional).
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Add a splash of olive oil or more vinegar if it seems dry.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and keep it al dente. Whisk vinaigrette by adding olive oil slowly to emulsify. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Make salad a day ahead for improved taste. Toss salad before serving if vinaigrette separates. Adjust seasoning to taste. Avoid overcooking pasta to prevent mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, make-ahead, graduation party, Italian herb vinaigrette, easy pasta salad, crowd-pleaser, rotini pasta, fresh herbs

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/easy-make-ahead-grad-party-pasta-salad-recipe-with-italian-herb-vinaigrette/