Layered Pasta Salad: A Refreshing and Satisfying Dish
Dive into layers of flavor with this delightful Layered Pasta Salad! Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish for any occasion, this salad offers a medley of colorful ingredients stacked high for a visually stunning presentation. Packed with pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, and a zesty dressing, each bite is a burst of freshness and satisfaction. Let's jump right into the recipe and create a salad that's as delicious as it is beautiful!
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces fusilli pasta, cooked according to package instructions and cooled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
2. Assemble the Salad:
- In a large clear glass bowl or trifle dish, begin layering the ingredients in the following order:
- First layer: Half of the cooked fusilli pasta
- Second layer: Half of the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, black olives, red onion, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and Italian parsley
- Third layer: Remaining half of the cooked fusilli pasta
- Fourth layer: Remaining half of the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, black olives, red onion, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and Italian parsley
3.*Finish with Dressing:
- Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the top layer of the salad, ensuring that all the ingredients are well coated.
4. Chill and Serve:
- Cover the layered pasta salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Just before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to combine the ingredients and distribute the dressing evenly.
- Serve the layered pasta salad chilled, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Enjoy the vibrant colors, textures, and flavors of this refreshing Layered Pasta Salad, a dish that's as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or a light meal on its own, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection!