Creamy Balsamic Pasta Salad
This Creamy Balsamic Pasta Salad combines tangy balsamic vinegar with a creamy dressing, tossed with fresh veggies and herbs for a flavorful, easy-to-make side dish. Perfect for potlucks or meal prep, it’s a versatile recipe that can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 12 oz Pasta
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup Red onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper sliced (optional)
- 3 cups Arugula
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil chopped
- 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese chopped
- 1/2 cup Corn fresh is best!
- 2 Scallions minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley minced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated (optional)
- Balsamic Glaze drizzled on top, optional
For the Creamy Balsamic Dressing:
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise for a richer option
- 1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2-3 Italian Seasoning
- 1-2 Honey optional for added sweetness
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, remove corn from cob, finely chop the red onion and red pepper, and chop the mozzarella cheese, scallions, fresh basil and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt (or mayo), balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, honey (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables. Pour the creamy balsamic dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Add the fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if you’re using them.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy!