The Tailgate Pasta Salad is a flavorful and colorful dish perfect for outdoor gatherings or picnics. With a mix of gemelli or rotini pasta, fresh vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and cherry tomatoes, and a tangy homemade dressing, this salad is both refreshing and satisfying.
1mediumzucchinicut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced (2 cups)
1can14 oz artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1cupcherry tomatoeseach cut in half
4ozfresh baby spinach leaves
½cupchopped fresh basil leaves
For the Dressing:
¼cupolive or vegetable oil
3tablespoonsred wine vinegar
1teaspooncoarse-grained mustard
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonpepper
1clovegarliccrushed
Instructies
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool; drain well.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients: olive or vegetable oil, red wine vinegar, coarse-grained mustard, salt, pepper, and crushed garlic.
Mix until well blended.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced zucchini, chopped artichoke hearts, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach leaves, and 1/4 cup of the chopped basil.
Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped basil over the top of the salad.
Serve chilled.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
This pasta salad pairs well with a light, crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio.