Pasta Salad
Ingredients: a bag of colored spiral pasta 2-3 red tomatoes 2 bell peppers one red one green, if they are large use half-half 250 g Cheese (I used Provolone) 1-2 cloves of garlic or more to taste olive oil salt and pepper to taste Italian herbs
To prepare a delicious pasta salad, we start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. We generously add salt, ensuring that the pasta absorbs the flavor of the salt during boiling. When the water is boiling, we add the chosen pasta, whether it is penne, fusilli, or spaghetti, and let it cook according to the package instructions, usually between 8 and 12 minutes, depending on the type of pasta chosen. Once the pasta is cooked al dente, we drain it well and transfer it to a large bowl, letting it cool slightly.
While the pasta cools, we can prepare the vegetables. We take fresh tomatoes, cut them in half, and scoop out the insides with a spoon, making sure to keep only the fleshy part. Then, we slice the tomatoes thinly so that they integrate perfectly into the salad. We continue with the bell pepper, which we seed and slice thinly. These will add a crunchy note and vibrant color to our salad.
The cheese, whether it is feta, mozzarella, or any other preferred type, we cut into cubes or slices, depending on the texture we want. Now, let's return to the pasta. We add a generous drizzle of olive oil over the pasta, ensuring that it does not stick together. We gently mix with a spatula, being careful to evenly distribute the oil.
Garlic, an essential ingredient, we crush with a knife and chop finely, adding it to the bowl with the pasta and vegetables. Here, we can also add a mix of Italian herbs, which will enhance the flavors of the dish. Don’t forget to adjust the seasonings to taste, adding salt, pepper, or even chili flakes for a touch of spice.
If you want to turn this salad into a heartier dish, you can also add a few slices of deli ham, thinly sliced, which will perfectly complement the existing flavors. We mix everything carefully, ensuring that each ingredient is well distributed. The pasta salad is now ready to be enjoyed, with a fresh and vibrant taste, perfect for a summer meal or a quick dinner. Serve it immediately or let it sit in the fridge for a while to intensify the flavors. Enjoy!
