Ingredients
To create this delicious and colorful pasta salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Penne Pasta: 12 ounces
- Cherry Tomatoes: 1 pint, halved
- Cucumbers: 1 large, diced
- Red Onion: 1 small, thinly sliced
- Fresh Basil: 1/4 cup, chopped
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup, grated
- Olive Oil: 1/4 cup
- Red Wine Vinegar: 3 tablespoons
- Honey: 1 tablespoon
- Dijon Mustard: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic: 1 clove, minced
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
These ingredients will serve approximately 4 to 6 people, making it perfect for small gatherings or family meals.
Instructions
Creating this Fresh Garden Pasta Salad is straightforward and involves just a few simple steps:
- Cook the Penne Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- While the pasta is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the fresh basil.
- Make the Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, basil, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Dress the Salad:
- Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetables.
- Toss everything gently until the salad is well coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled and enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g