Cold Italian Pasta
Salad Recipes

In general, you might find that most recipes are so heavy and creamy, too much.

Mayonnaise is fine for potato salads but it overwhelms the delicate texture of pasta.

A good cold pasta salad recipe should be light and refreshing, with a fair amount of vegetables.

The dressing should help convey flavors and keep it moist, not weigh down.

There are three styles of cold Italian pasta salad recipes that taste good. One of my favorite is with raw tomatoes, one with a vinaigrette and some vegetables, and the last with pesto, chicken, or shrimps.


Healthy Pasta Salad
Healthy pasta with with cherry tomatoes, rucola rocket and coverd with Parmiggiano flakes.

Creamy Pasta Salad
This creamy pasta salad is Not so heavy as it seems to be. Low fat yogurt, wholemeal fusilli on a bed of green lettuce.

Cold Spaghetti Salad
Very simple summer cold spaghetti salad with raw tomatoes.

Easy Spaghetti Pasta Salad
Easy spaghetti pasta salad with tomatoes and a squeeze of lemon juice. Refreshing and great with chicken!

• Spaghetti Pasta Salad
  A southern Italy speciality with raw tomatoes and almonds.

1 lb (gr.454) short pasta such as fusilli, farfalle, or orecchiette
3 lb (kg.1,3) broccoli florets
½ teaspoon (gr.2) grated lemon
¼ cup (ml.60) lemon juice
1 medium garlic clove, minced
½ cup (ml.118) extra-virgin olive oil
20 black olives, brine-cured variety
15 large fresh basil leaves, shredded
¾ (gr.4) teaspoon salt

2. Set the water for the pasta and bring to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta until is "al dente", then drain.

3. Whisk the grated lemon and juice with the ¾ (gr.4) teaspoon of salt and garlic in a large bowl. Whisk in slowly the extra-virgin olive oil until smooth.

4. With the vinaigrette dressing add the hot pasta, cooled broccoli, black olives pitted and chopped, and basil, toss to mix thoroughly.

Cool all to room temperature and then serve.


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