Pasta Salad

 Ingredients: 300 g short pasta, 250 g mozzarella, 4 tomatoes, olive oil, fresh basil, salt

We start by preparing the necessary ingredients for a delicious pasta salad that will delight all tastes. The first step is to put a large pot of water on the stove, making sure to add a teaspoon of salt when the water reaches boiling point. This salt will help enhance the flavor of the pasta, so don't skip it! Once the water is boiling vigorously, we add the pasta. It is important to respect the cooking time indicated on the package, usually around 10 minutes, but this time may vary depending on the type of pasta used.

While the pasta is boiling, we turn our attention to the tomatoes. We wash the tomatoes well under a stream of cold water and, depending on their type, we cut them. If we choose cherry tomatoes, we can cut them in halves or quarters, and for regular tomatoes, medium-sized cubes are ideal. These tomatoes will bring a fresh taste and vibrant color to our salad.

After the pasta is cooked, we drain it in a colander, but not before rinsing it under a stream of cold water. This step is essential to stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from becoming sticky. We let the pasta cool completely before combining it with the other ingredients.

Once the pasta is cold, we transfer it to a large bowl. We add extra virgin olive oil, which will not only provide a delicious taste but will also help bind the ingredients. Next are the chopped tomatoes, which add a touch of freshness, and mozzarella, which, after being drained of water, is also cut into cubes. Mozzarella adds a special creaminess to the salad, perfectly balancing the acidity of the tomatoes.

Finally, don't forget to season with salt to taste. We carefully mix everything, ensuring that each pasta cube is well coated with oil and the fresh flavors of the tomatoes and mozzarella. The pasta salad is served cold, making it an ideal appetizer or a light main dish on warm days. This simple and quick recipe will win you over with its combination of textures and flavors, making it a perfect dish for picnics or festive meals. Enjoy every bite!

 Tags:  tomatoes oil salad olives vegetarian recipes