Balsamic Pasta Salad Recipes

STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook farfalle according to package directions until al dente. Drain, then transfer to a large serving bowl.
• Make balsamic glaze: In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
• To bowl, add feta, strawberries and spinach. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
• Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with almonds.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; transfer to a large bowl. Add the chicken, tomatoes, onion, bacon and Gorgonzola cheese., In a small bowl, whisk the oil, basil, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

BALSAMIC BASIL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil your pasta. While your pasta is cooking, make your dressing. Whisk together the vinegar, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper. While still whisking, drizzle in your olive oil. Once fully combined, set aside.
• When the pasta is done cooking, drain well then add a few tablespoons of the dressing to the pasta to prevent sticking and refrigerate until cold in a large bowl - this makes about 13 cups so be sure to have a big enough bowl! (Hot Tip: Don't rinse your pasta in cold water after cooking, removing the outer starch can keep the dressing from sticking well to it!)
• Add the remaining ingredients to the pasta (you may need to give the dressing another good whisking before adding if the oil has separated). You can serve this right away, but it's even better if it can have some time to marinate in the fridge! Once it's refrigerated, I like to let it sit on the counter for a few (the olive oil will thicken in the fridge and setting it out re-liquifies it) then give it a good stir before serving.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN AND PASTA

Steps:

• Mince garlic cloves in food processor or blender. Add 1/3 of the basil leaves to the processor, and chop until fine. Pour in 1/2 cup of olive oil, and continue to process until mixture turns light yellow with flecks of basil. Add the balsamic vinegar; process just until combined.
• Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-top storage bag along with 1 tablespoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper, and the contents of the food processor. Squeeze air out of bag and seal. Allow chicken to marinate for 2 hours, or up to overnight, turning occasionally.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Brown chicken in a large skillet over large heat, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a large baking dish, and place in the oven until cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove chicken from oven, slice into 1/4 inch strips, and return to baking dish to absorb cooking juices. Keep warm.
• While chicken is baking, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Boil the pasta until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well. Stir the chicken and the juices from the baking dish into the hot pasta.
• Thinly slice the remaining basil leaves, and place in a large serving bowl along with the tomatoes. Stir in 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Top basil and tomatoes with the hot pasta, sauce, and chicken; toss to combine.

BALSAMIC DRESSING PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in salted water until tender, but just slightly underdone. While pasta cooks, place chopped red onion in the bottom of a strainer. Once pasta has just finished cooking, pour the boiling water over the onion through the strainer, and strain the cooked pasta. Rinse the pasta with cold water, and drain completely. Place the drained pasta and onion in a large bowl and allow to cool.
• Add all remaining ingredients to the pasta mixture, and gently toss to combine. Garnish with fresh oregano or basil as desired.

CAPRESE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil and season generously with kosher salt. Add the pasta and cook just until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse lightly with cold water. Set aside to cool.
• While the pasta is cooking, drain the mozzarella balls then cut in half. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add to a mixing bowl with the mozzarella balls. Add the cooled pasta and slivered basil.
• In a small bowl or mason jar with a lid, add the olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, garlic, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well then drizzle over the pasta. Toss to coat and taste for seasoning. The salad is best after about 30 minutes and can be refrigerated for 3 days.

STRAWBERRY AND SPINACH BALSAMIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Tear corner of Ready Pasta pouch to vent. Heat in the microwave for one minute.
• Pour pasta onto a dish and allow to cool.
• In a bowl, combine olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add Ready Pasta, spinach, strawberries, and basil and toss.
• Garnish with feta cheese. Serve and enjoy!

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Clean and chop all veggies.
• Boil pasta till al dente.
• Add any veggies that you prefer lightly cooked to boiling pasta in the last 3 minutes of boiling (mine would be asparagus and carrots).
• Drain pasta/veggies and rinse in cold water to stop cooking.
• Add all veggies to pasta and mix.
• Add ham.
• Pour balsamic vinaigrette onto the pasta and mix--you can use less than the whole bottle but I prefer mine "soupy".
• Serve immediately with the Gouda sprinkled over the top.

STRAWBERRY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients to make the pasta salad.
• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the balsamic vinaigrette. Whisk well.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to combine.
• Adjust seasonings to taste and serve.

SPINACH PASTA SALAD WITH LEMON BALSAMIC DRESSING RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash spinach and set aside to drain well (tear apart large leaves and remove thick stems).
• Roast 1 bulb of garlic in a 400 degrees F oven.
• Peel away the outer layers of the garlic bulb skin, leaving the skins of the individual cloves intact.
• Using a knife, cut off ¼ to a ½ inch of the top of cloves, exposing the individual cloves of garlic.
• Place the bulb cut side up on a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, drizzle with about 2 tbsp of olive oil making sure to cover each clove and then bring the sides of the foil up and seal all around.
• Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until cloves are soft and caramel colored.
• Let cool until you can touch it with your hand and squeeze out each clove into a cup or dish...let cool while you make the salad.
• Make pasta according to box, cook to "al dente" about 12 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to completely cool the pasta and stop the cooking process.
• Turn out into a large bowl, add cucumber, tomatoes, onions, shredded carrots and roasted red peppers, add the spinach and the fresh mozzarella and toss lightly.
• Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a blender except the two oils, combine the two oils together and then slowly drizzle in the oil mixture while the blender is running and blend completely.
• Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss well to coat.
• Chill overnight to serve the next day this will allow the flavors to blend and will slightly wilt the spinach.
• Serve along side grilled chicken, fish or as a light lunch with fresh crusty bread.

BALSAMIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk first 6 ingredients together to prepare the dressing mix, set aside.
• Cook the pasta of your choice.
• While pasta is cooking, chop broccoli and blanch for 2 minutes.
• Combine cooked pasta, blanched broccoli, chopped red pepper and sliced green onion.
• Pour dressing mix on top of pasta mixture; toss to coat.
• Chill until ready to serve.
• **Note: Preparation can be accomplished while pasta is cooking, making this a very quick dish**.