Description
This Angel Hair Pasta Salad is a refreshing Italian-American dish featuring delicate angel hair pasta tossed with fresh vegetables, olives, and cheese, all coated in a tangy and flavorful homemade dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light main course, this salad is easy to prepare and ideal for warm weather meals or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup cubed mozzarella or feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 4 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to halt the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Cheese: In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, diced red bell pepper, chopped red onion, and cubed mozzarella or feta cheese. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and optional dried oregano until well combined and emulsified.
- Toss the Salad: Add the cooled angel hair pasta to the bowl with the vegetable and cheese mixture. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Fresh Basil and Chill: Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the salad and toss lightly. Cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
Notes
- For a heartier salad, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or slices of salami.
- This pasta salad keeps well when stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For additional flavor, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing.
