Pasta Salad With Fresh Tomato And Basil Sauce
A vibrant pasta salad featuring fresh tomato, basil, garlic, and herbs, perfect for summer gatherings, with a flavorful olive oil dressing and optional pine nuts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the dried pasta until al dente and drain.
- While the pasta cooks, cut the fresh tomatoes into eighths and sauté the garlic in olive oil.
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the garlic and olive oil mixture.
- Stir in dried spices, herbs, and hot pepper.
- Add green peppers and fresh basil to the sauce.
- Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often.
- Toss the cooked pasta in a bowl with olive oil, then coat with the hot tomato and herb sauce, removing the hot pepper before serving.
- Serve immediately topped with freshly grated Romano cheese.
- If desired, add pine nuts to the pasta sauce at the last minute.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider using heirloom tomatoes for a sweeter and richer taste. If you don't have access to fresh herbs, you can substitute with a mix of dried Italian herbs. For a nutty twist, add toasted pine nuts to the sauce just before serving. Adjust the heat by varying the amount of hot pepper based on your preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this pasta salad warm or at room temperature, garnished with freshly grated Romano cheese. It pairs beautifully with Tyropitakia (Cheese Triangles) as an appetizer. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside grilled chicken or a light green salad. A chilled glass of white wine complements the dish nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of olive oil to the pasta and warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce appears dry, add a little water or more olive oil.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pasta Salad With Fresh Tomato And Basil Sauce contains roughly 1673 calories, with 40g protein, 197g carbohydrates, and 90g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), calcium (99% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (83% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 817mg per serving (36% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce in advance and store it separately. Cook the pasta just before serving to maintain its texture. Combine everything together shortly before serving to keep the pasta from absorbing too much sauce.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Rigatoni shells or wheels are ideal for this dish as their shapes hold the sauce well. However, other pasta types like penne or fusilli can also work if you prefer something different.
How can I adjust the spiciness of this dish?
To control the heat, you can reduce the amount of hot pepper or remove the seeds from the hot pepper before adding it to the sauce. For a milder version, consider omitting the hot pepper altogether.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).