Spicy Italian Pasta Salad

This Spicy Italian Pasta Salad needs to be your go to pasta salad recipe for summer! Coated with a spicy sun-dried tomato pesto, it's the perfect recipe to pair with a sweet wine.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 292kcal

Author Dorothy Kern

Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta
1/2 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
1/2-1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 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.

Nutrition