Easy Italian Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing

pasta

🥗Healthier: whole grain pasta

💰Cheaper: pasta

Whole grain pasta is more nutritious.

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat feta

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Low-fat feta reduces calories, ricotta is often cheaper.

Dice the bell pepper, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.

Use a serrated knife to cut the tomatoes in half.

Chop about 2 tablespoons of shallot (or soak red onion in water for 10 minutes to reduce bite).

In a jar, combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, and spices: 2 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt.

Mix the dressing ingredients in the jar and taste test.

Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the chopped veggies, 1 cup sliced black olives, 1/2 cup sliced banana peppers, and 8 oz mozzarella pearls.

Add the dressing to the pasta salad and toss everything together.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens