SUPER QUICK, SUPER EASY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD


Musical pairing – Blue Skies by Eva Cassidy

I have always turned up my nose at pasta salads because, horror of horrors, I’m not a fan of mayonnaise and most recipes are dripping with the stuff . . . and cheese . . . and bacon . . . and peas . . . and a multitude of other ingredients making the end result much too starchy and gloppy for my taste.

I want a salad that is light, I want a salad that celebrates tomatoes.  I want pasta that is perfectly cooked to al dente’.  I want a salad with ever-so-slightly melted fresh mozzarella cheese.  I want a salad that is bright and sings summer!  And while we’re at it, is it too much to ask for a pair of jeans that fit my short stature and my curves???  Sorry, I got carried away with the ‘I wants’ . . .

I truly can’t remember which magazine I found this recipe in years ago (probably ‘Gourmet’), but I make it AT LEAST 5 times during the summer months – maybe more.  And when winters are long here in Indiana (that’s an oxymoron, right??) I’ve been known to break out this recipe and imagine myself having a plate of it on the deck with The Professor, full sun, blue skies, gentle winds, the birds happily chirping at the feeders and all is right with the world.

The salad is ridiculously easy to make and is terrific when your garden is overflowing with fresh tomatoes (or in Santa Cruz where they offer these guys), but I almost always open a large can of San Marzanos since fresh tomatoes aren’t readily available in my neck of the woods.  Here, the full flavor of the tomato is supported by the fruitiness of the olive oil; the cheese adds a bit of texture to the pasta and the basil just screams ‘summer’ to me.  This is by far my most requested recipe when I’ve cooked for employees!
Do you have a favorite summer salad?

Serve with garlic toasts and a glass of wine – MANGIA!!!

14 Comments

  1. We are now officially obsessed with Basil, thanks to you! It’s been wonderful and it so impresses any member of my family who thinks I’m being hoity toity by not using the dried kind, haha!

  2. You and The Professor make a great team. This recipe and the photos are fantastic! Just stunning!

  3. Oh, I can’t WAIT until my garden is “overflowing with fresh tomatoes.” I have at least one green one already and lots of little buds. I just need to be a little more patient. But then, when they’re ready, I’ll look forward to making this recipe!

  4. Barbara ~ This salad just tastes like summer; sometimes pasta can be heavy but this is so light and fresh – definitely a ‘go-to’ recipe when you want something quick & easy!

  5. What a lovely, easy to make pasta! And with fresh tomatoes too! Love this recipe, Debra!

  6. great pasta, quick and full of flavor..oh my fav

    sweetlife

  7. Rowdy ~ I serve it right off the stove BUT I also have leftovers which we usually eat the next day – just zap in the micro just enough to warm!

  8. I’m with you on the mayonnaise-y salads–yuck! This looks delicious. Do you serve it hot or cold?

  9. I’ve wanted to make that salad FOREVER, Sasa – I just haven’t been able to score Harissa in my neck of the woods; I’ll have to order from Amazon as I will not be deterred!

  10. Favourite salad is probably my mum’s carrot, harissa, mint and feta but I’m going to try yours when my tomatoes come (in oh, 6 months probably since it still feels like winter here).

  11. The Professor agrees with you Brian – give the man bread and a bit of sauce, he’s in heaven!

  12. I am such a nut for good pasta sauce… When the sauce is good, you really don’t even need the pasta. Just a little bread and I’m set.

    This is great and the pictures are WONDERFUL!

  13. Thanks Maria – fresh, tasty & vegetarian!

  14. Great pasta dish. Love the photos too!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*