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This Spicy Pasta Salad is the perfect summer salad that mixes pasta, cheese, tomatoes, and so much more together! It is great for a potluck or party and it will be gone quick – and the Arrabbiata style sauce adds a little spicy kick.
Best Pasta Salad Recipe
This pasta salad is super easy to make. The sauce of this salad brings in a bit of spice with red pepper flakes. All of the pasta elements are inspired by an Arrabbiata Style, which is a tomato based sauce that packs a spicy punch from the addition of dried red chili flakes. I love that this salad recipe doesn’t have any mayonnaise – that makes it perfect for a pot luck.
Pasta salads are so great because you can customize them for yourself. You can add anything you want: black olives, artichoke hearts, chicken, bell peppers, and salami are all great ingredients that would also taste great in this salad. Mix everything in a large bowl for a party and everyone will be pleased!
Ingredients Needed
- Pasta: Use any kind of pasta you like. Rotini, penne, farfalle, fusilli, anything!
- Grape Tomatoes: Or use cherry tomatoes.
- Spinach: Adds a bit of green to the salad.
- Mozzarella: I shred my mozzarella in this pasta salad to make it easier to eat!
- Sun Dried Tomatoes: Add some tomato flavor without adding tomato sauce.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a bit of spice to the recipe!
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How to make Spicy Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and rinse with cold water. Let cool.
- Add the pasta, tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella, and shallot to a large mixing bowl.
- Make the dressing: add the sun-dried tomatoes (with their oil) to a food processor or blender. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse until sundered tomatoes are finely chopped, then run the food processor or blender while adding the olive oil. Run until a thick sauce forms. Taste, then add more pepper flakes and/or salt to taste.
- Toss pasta with sauce.
- Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips
- Other than the things already mentioned, you can add just about anything you want to this salad! Personalize it to you by adding some other vegetables or fresh herbs or basil. You could even add red onion.
- Use any pasta shape you want for this easy side dish.
- Serve fresh veggies on the side to make it a full meal!
FAQs
You can freeze this salad! Make sure it is in an airtight container so it stays fresh!
Spicy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- ½ pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese
- 1 medium sized shallot, sliced
- 7 ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1-2 teaspoons dried red pepper flakes
- ½-1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and rinse with cold water. Let cool.
- Add the pasta, tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella, and shallot to a serving bowl.
- Make the dressing: add the sun-dried tomatoes (with their oil) to a food processor or blender. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse until sundered tomatoes are finely chopped, then run the food processor or blender while adding the olive oil. Run until a thick sauce forms. Taste, then add more pepper flakes and/or salt to taste.
- Toss pasta with sauce.
- Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Did you try this recipe? Click here to rate the recipe below.
I love this recipe but I wish it was in metric. I’ve used spring onions as I’m not sure what is a shallot other than the asian ones we get here.
This is so different and unique and the flavors are wonderful. When I make it again I will add black olives and some lemon juice. The sun dried tomatoes are a welcomed addition to the taste.
You know it’s hot when it’s even too hot to grill!
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The sweet and spicy combo is perfect. You know it’s hot when it’s even too hot to grill!
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