CLASSIC PASTA SALAD WITH MOZZARELLA, AVOCADO AND BASIL
With its colorful jumble of tomatoes, avocado, olives, mozzarella and cucumber, this has everything you've ever wanted in a pasta salad. But feel free to customize the ingredients to suit your own tastes (see Tip), and to add lemon and salt to the dressing to taste. As long as you don't overcook the pasta, and add it while still hot to the dressing, you really can't go wrong. Make this a few hours ahead so the flavors have a chance to meld, but be sure not to add the avocado until just before serving.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories lunch, pastas, salads and dressings, side dish
Time 25m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- To prepare the dressing, in a large bowl, whisk together shallot, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk in oil. Taste and add more salt and-or lemon juice if needed.
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just al dente, usually a minute less than the package instructions. Drain well. While still warm, add the pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss well. Let pasta cool, soaking up the dressing.
- In a medium bowl, gently toss together avocado, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
- Just before serving, add tomato, cucumber, mozzarella and Parmesan to the bowl with the pasta and toss well. Gently fold in avocado and basil.
- Drizzle with olive oil, cracked black pepper and salt to taste before serving.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
