Garlic Pasta Salad
Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, this Garlic Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish or light main course for any occasion. Made with tender penne pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, savory black olives, and a zesty homemade garlic dressing, this dish strikes the perfect balance between fresh and indulgent. The dressing, a luxurious blend of minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, tangy lemon juice, and grated Parmesan, infuses every bite with rich, mouthwatering flavor. Topped with freshly chopped parsley and a touch of black pepper, this pasta salad is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ready in just 25 minutes and best served chilled, it’s an easy, make-ahead recipe ideal for picnics, potlucks, or simple weeknight dinners.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams penne pasta
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes
- 100 grams black olives, pitted
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions (around 10 minutes), until al dente. Drain and let cool.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the garlic dressing. Mince the garlic cloves finely or use a garlic press.
In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well blended.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and set aside. Slice the black olives into rounds if desired.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and chopped parsley.
Pour the garlic dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the dressing.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or black pepper, if needed.
Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a final toss and garnish with additional grated Parmesan or parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2003 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 93.6 g | 120% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.4 g | 107% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 3998 mg | 174% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 245.4 g | 89% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.0 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.1 g | ||
| Protein | 62.7 g | 125% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 705 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 14.6 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 1352 mg | 29% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
