PASTA SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

I love holiday weekends in the summer! Having my husband home one extra day during the week with me and the kids is the best. He hit the grill and I made this awesome pasta salad. In our case it served 3 and I guess 1/4 with the baby. It is my new favorite!

Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa Family Style
Serves 6

1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta
1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
1 pound fresh mozzarella, medium-diced
6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

For the dressing:
5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 tablespoons good olive oil
1 garlic clove, diced
1 teaspoon capers, drained
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 cup packed basil leaves, julienned

NOTE: I altered a few things in the dressing recipe: 4 Tablespoons of olive oil instead of 6, no capers, and used parsley instead of basil. A sneaky little bunny has found his way into my garden and ate all my basil...not happy!

Cook the pasta:

Boil water and cook the pasta according to directions. Cook al dente, 1 minute less than the directions on the package. Drain well. Place the pasta in a big serving bowl.

Add the tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Make the dressing:
In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt, and pepper.

Mix until smooth.

Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and basil, and toss well. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

PRINTABLE RECIPE