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Fresh Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Italian Dressing for Summer Parties

Fresh Grinder Pasta Salad - featured image
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A fresh, tangy, and crunchy pasta salad featuring grinder pasta and a homemade zesty Italian dressing, perfect for summer parties and casual get-togethers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound grinder pasta (rigatoni or penne also work)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional but highly recommended)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 4 quarts water with 1 tablespoon salt). Add 1 pound grinder pasta and cook according to package instructions—usually 10-12 minutes—until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles. Shake off excess water well.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and green pepper, finely chop red onion and parsley, and slice olives. Shred or cube mozzarella cheese.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, and salt and pepper to taste until fully combined and slightly thickened.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, cheese, and parsley. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly so every piece is coated.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Give it a gentle toss before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sogginess. Make dressing ahead for better flavor. Toss salad gently to avoid breaking pasta or bruising tomatoes. For dairy-free, omit cheese or use vegan alternative. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; avoid freezing.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, grinder pasta, zesty Italian dressing, summer recipe, easy pasta salad, party salad, picnic recipe

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/fresh-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-italian-dressing-for-summer-parties/