Hot Cold Pasta
Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and refreshing Hot Cold Pasta recipe, a delightful fusion of warm, al dente spaghetti paired with crisp, chilled vegetables. This dish dazzles with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and a tangy balsamic dressing, all tied together with aromatic fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The beauty of this recipe lies in its intriguing contrast of temperatures—warm, tender pasta meets cool, refreshing toppings for a unique dining experience in every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy dish is perfect for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing side at your next gathering. Serve it immediately to savor the harmony of flavors and textures—a true celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams spaghetti
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cold ingredients. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, peel and dice the cucumber, and finely slice the red onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Drain the cooked spaghetti, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water. Transfer the spaghetti to a large mixing bowl and toss with the reserved pasta water and 1 tablespoon of the dressing to prevent it from sticking together.
Let the spaghetti cool for 5 minutes while you finish preparing the toppings.
Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh basil leaves to the bowl of spaghetti. Pour the remaining dressing over the top and gently toss everything together.
Grate the Parmesan cheese over the pasta just before serving. Optionally, garnish with additional basil leaves.
Serve immediately while the pasta is warm and the vegetables are cool, enjoying the unique contrast of temperatures!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1182 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.9 g | 77% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 44 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 2712 mg | 118% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 123.5 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.5 g | 38% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.0 g | ||
| Protein | 38.1 g | 76% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 588 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 7.6 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 1129 mg | 24% | |
*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.
