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  • The Main Dish
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Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan

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Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan features fresh herbs, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives and Parmesan Cheese.

In the world of pasta salad dishes, there are as many recipes as there are different shapes of pasta. With that in mind, I’m frequently on the lookout for a pasta salad that’s impressive and a bit different from the norm. Here is one that’s definitely impressive and anything but a normal, everyday pasta side dish. I found this Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomates, Basil and Parmesan Cheese recipe a few years ago from my BFF, Ina Garten (she doesn’t know she’s my BFF though, long story). The dressing, made with sun-dried tomatoes in oil, red wine vinegar, garlic and olive oil is so fresh, earthy and amazing. Corkscrew type pasta is perfect so you get dressing in every little groove and consequently, every bite.

To bring the salad way over the top, add fresh basil, kalamata or other favorite black olives and lots of fresh tomatoes. Then, of course, this salad gets a very liberal dose of Parmesan cheese. You could substitute the Parmesan for Feta or use both! I love this pasta so much, not only is it a perfect side salad for any occasion, it’s hearty enough for a meatless main dish. Add your favorite Italian deli meats such as Genoa salami and then dice in some provolone to make a sort of muffelleta salad.

Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan Cheese, featuring fresh herbs, tomatoes and kalamata olives. Lots of Parmesan, of course!

Here’s another look at the delicious dressing before it’s all mixed in. You can start with adding about two-thirds of the dressing and add more as you like. I’ve always added every last drop. If you’re looking for something different in a pasta salad, trust me on this. I’m picky about what impresses me in this area and I’m drawn to the unusual.

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4.84 from 6 votes

Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This recipe gets better as it sits and can be made a day ahead of serving. Start by adding about half of the dressing and add more to your liking. I usually use all of it, though. Use Parmesan cheese, or feta, or both!
Prep Time 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 10
Calories 295
Author Good Dinner Mom

Ingredients 

For the dressing:

  • 1 7 oz. jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • Salt And Pepper to taste
  • 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 cup light olive oil or avocado oil

For the salad:

  • 16 ounces spiral pasta of choice, rotini is a good one
  • ¾ cup black or kalamata olives, or favorite olives of your choice, rough chopped
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or julienne sliced
  • 1 ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Feta cheese, optional, in place of the Parmesan or in addition.

Instructions

Make the Dressing:

  • In a blender or food processor (my preference), combine 7 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, 6 cloves garlic, salt, pepper, and 3 Tablespoon vinegar until tomatoes are chopped. Continue blending while drizzling in cup olive oil until mixed well.

Make the Pasta:

  • Cook 16 ounces pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until no longer hot.
  • Pour ⅔ of the dressing over the pasta. Add ¾ cup olives and toss together. Add 2 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup fresh basil, 1 ½ cups Parmesan, and 1 cup feta, tossing together and adding more dressing until the salad is coated to your liking (I use it all).
  • Serve on a big platter with an extra sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
  • This is an excellend side pasta but is substantial enough to be a meatless main dish.
Nutrition Facts
Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 295 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 24mg8%
Sodium 414mg18%
Potassium 204mg6%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 453IU9%
Vitamin C 8mg10%
Calcium 272mg27%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten.

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Published on July 5, 2016

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. april smith says

    February 25, 2023 at 7:57 AM

    5 stars
    Really enjoyed this recipe and this site! Perfect weeknight meal 🙂

    Reply
  2. petra says

    February 25, 2023 at 7:55 AM

    4 stars
    This was very good! I might try adding chickpeas next time for some protein.

    Reply
  3. justine s says

    May 20, 2022 at 6:02 AM

    5 stars
    This was SO good, and truly so fast! I am not even a big sun-dried tomatoes fan and thought this was fantastic. My husband loved it as well so, I will definitely be making this often.

    Reply
  4. tori says

    May 16, 2022 at 6:03 AM

    5 stars
    Thank you so much! Just what I was looking for. This is a great base recipe that can take off in various tasty directions.

    Reply
  5. sophie a says

    February 19, 2022 at 8:29 AM

    5 stars
    This pasta recipe is PERFECT! It was easily adaptable, simple to prepare and looked beautiful in the serving bowl! Love the feta with the parm.

    Reply
  6. bill g says

    February 19, 2022 at 8:27 AM

    5 stars
    One of my favorites … very simple to prepare and tasty! I added pine nuts before serving. thanks or sharing!

    Reply
  7. Jackie says

    July 8, 2016 at 6:24 PM

    This is my new favorite pasta salad!
    I didn’t have sun dried tomatoes so I reduced a can of fire roasted tomatoes instead. Used black olives and added fresh Parmesan cheese balls. A-maxing!

    Reply
  8. Kevin | Keviniscooking says

    July 5, 2016 at 2:59 PM

    This sounds super easy and I’m loving the tartness from the sun dried and vinegar in the dressing. Pinned for a try later. Thanks Sally!

    Reply
About Sally - Good Dinner Mom.

About Good Dinner Mom

My name is Sally and I love to be in the kitchen. Making fresh, unique dishes is my way of showing love for family and friends and I hope that here you’ll find recipes of both healthy and indulgent dishes that will inspire you to cook more at home while sharing some love of your own. more about me

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