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Make-Ahead Italian Rainbow Pasta Salad
Reserved artichoke marinade is the secret weapon in this colorful rainbow pasta salad. It blends with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh herbs to create a tangy dressing that coats crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and cubed mozzarella. You'll love how the crunchy radishes and briny green olives add bright, punchy flavor. Since it needs time to chill and soak up the vinaigrette, it's a smart make-ahead option for your next outdoor lunch or casual gathering.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup marinade from the artichoke hearts
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 package (12 oz) rainbow rotini pasta
- 1 jar (12 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained, marinade reserved
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 English (seedless) cucumber, chopped (about 2 cups)
- 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 cup sliced radishes
- ⅓ cup chopped celery
- ⅓ cup sliced green olives
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- 1Combine the artichoke marinade, olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh basil, parsley, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well blended.
- 2Boil the rainbow rotini according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, then rinse it thoroughly under cold water and drain again. Rinsing stops the cooking process and removes excess starch so the noodles won't clump together.
- 3Place the cooled pasta in a large bowl along with the drained artichoke hearts, mozzarella, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, radishes, celery, olives, and green onions.
- 4Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- Make ahead: You can prepare this salad up to a day in advance. The flavors actually improve as they sit in the fridge.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Swap: If you don't have rainbow rotini, standard fusilli, penne, or farfalle work just as well.