Italian Pasta Blend with Vegetables

Italian Pasta Blend with Vegetables

Ready to whip up an Italian pasta salad that'll knock your socks off? Here's a foolproof recipe with some tips and tricks to make it stand out, whether you're serving it at a picnic, potluck, or just lounging at home. And hey, if you have veggie friends or a hankering for buttermilk fried chicken, we've gotcha covered.

Serves: 6-8 hungry folksDifficulty Level: Super-easy peasyTotal Time: 40 delightful minutes

• Ingredients:
• ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• A pinch of kosher salt
• 1 pound fusilli pasta (or any short, sturdy pasta like penne, farfalle, or rotini)
• 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups medium-diced provolone cheese
• 1 cup medium-dice dry Italian salami, casing removed
• 1/3 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil)
• 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

(Optional additions for bigger flavors: cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, black olives, red or yellow bell peppers, chopped red onion, feta, grated Parmesan, mozzarella balls, chopped pepperoni or salami, and homemade Italian dressing.)

Instructions:

1. In a large, non-reactive bowl, combine the onion, vinegar, and oregano. Set aside and let it mingle.
2. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain and cool under cold water. Shake off excess water and transfer to the bowl with the onion-vinegar mixture.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and toss everything together until nicely coated. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 1 day and let it chill.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Option:

• Dice or shred buttermilk fried chicken and mix it into the pasta salad for an amazing, crunchy element.
• For a spicy kick, add some hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
• Mix in some diced pickles or pickle juice for extra tang.

Pesto Pasta Salad Options:

• Use basil pesto sauce instead of traditional Italian dressing for a vibrant, herby flavor.
• Make it vegetarian by including roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and sliced bell peppers for color.
• Stir in Italian cheeses like Parmesan and mozzarella for classic Italian vibes.
• Add grilled chicken or shrimp for protein.

Enjoy your delicious, customized Italian pasta salad creation!

1. The Italian pasta salad recipe incorporates cultural flavors with foods like fusilli pasta, marinated artichoke hearts, provolone cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes, and you can cool it in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
2. To enhance the pasta salad's flavors, consider adding optional ingredients like cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, black olives, or even buttermilk fried chicken, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
3. For a cool twist on the Italian pasta salad, substitute the traditional Italian dressing with pesto sauce, making it vegetarian by adding roasted vegetables or grilling chicken or shrimp for extra protein.

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