Description
This vibrant pasta salad, inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s culinary style, combines perfectly cooked pasta with crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a bold, tangy dressing. It’s a versatile, crowd-pleasing dish that’s ideal for warm-weather gatherings or a refreshing light lunch.
Ingredients
12 oz fusilli or penne pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
(Optional Add-ins)
1 cup grilled chicken breast, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives
2 tbsp capers
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
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Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions.
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Drain and rinse pasta under cold water to cool, then spread on a baking sheet to cool completely.
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Prepare the vegetables: halve tomatoes, dice cucumber, slice bell pepper, and finely chop onion.
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In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
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In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, vegetables, and fresh herbs.
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Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss until evenly coated.
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Add optional ingredients like grilled chicken, feta, or olives for extra flavor and texture.
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Garnish with additional herbs and a light drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Notes
To make it vegan, omit cheese and use chickpeas for protein.
For a Mediterranean twist, swap red wine vinegar for lemon juice and add oregano.
Best served cold; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Boiling, Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Gordon Ramsay pasta salad, easy pasta salad, summer salad, vegetarian pasta salad, cold pasta salad, picnic recipe