Pasta salad

Pasta salad

20 min
A pasta salad with a taste of Italy! Prepare everything except the avocado the day before and you have a pasta salad ready in a couple of minutes.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/pasta-salad1/

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Rinse in cold water and drain.
  • Cut or break the cheese into pieces and mix with the pasta, oil, and olives. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Drain the artichokes and cut them into pieces.
  • Split and core the avocados. Cut avocado and tomatoes into pieces.
  • Mix vegetables and salad into the pasta.
Enjoy!

Pasta salad

Is it better to make pasta salad the day before?
If time is of the essence, it’s fine to make pasta salad a day ahead. The pasta will absorb the liquid from the vegetables and other seasonings, though, so it might be best to make your salad base and your pasta separately and combine them just before serving. Also, keep in mind that while pasta will absorb water-based liquids, it won’t absorb oil, so olive oil can help keep it moist and firm.
Do you rinse pasta in cold water for pasta salad?
Yes. Begin by boiling your pasta in generously salted water, according to the directions on the package. When it is al dente, drain the pasta, and quickly run it under cold water to stop it cooking. When it has drained fully, toss it with some extra virgin olive oil to keep it from sticking together. Mix it into your salad base once it’s cool.
How do you keep pasta salad moist?
A fresh-tasting extra virgin olive oil is your best bet. The boiled pasta will not absorb oil the same way it absorbs other liquids, nor will the oil evaporate. Another trick is simply to stir your pasta frequently. It is common for the dressing in a pasta salad to make its way to the bottom of the bowl. Stirring helps keep the pasta coated in dressing.

Ingredients

Pasta
500 g
White cheese
300 g
Cold-pressed olive oil
3 tbsp
Black pitted olives
75 g
Salt
1 tsp
Black pepper to taste
Artichoke hearts
400 g
Avocados
3
Tomatoes
4
Mixed italian salad
300 g

Pasta salad: a quick classic for all occasions

Pasta salad is a perennial favourite for parties and picnics alike. Endlessly adaptable, it can be varied to make the best of whatever seasonal ingredients you have on hand.

The perfect recipe for potlucks and parties

Easy to make, easy to transport, and easy to eat – pasta salad is the ideal dish for your next potluck or party. And of course, it tastes the very best at room temperature, so you never have to worry about it getting hot or cold.

Take pasta salad to your summer picnic

As long as you don’t add mayonnaise – and we don’t – your pasta salad should be fine, even in the summer. If you are concerned, you can always nestle your bowl of pasta salad in a slightly larger bowl, filled with ice. Avoid using cucumber, which will weep and release its water into your pasta, turning to mush in the process.

Easy storage for leftovers

A glass storage container with a snap-on top is perfect for protecting your leftovers, which will keep for several days in the fridge as long as you don’t use highly perishable vegetables, such as cucumber. Or, if you are making a very large batch, keep the vegetables and pasta entirely separate until you are ready to serve them. Mix a small quantity up to serve, replenishing it when it’s gone. Even so, skip the cucumber unless you expect to consume the entire salad the same day.