Description
A refreshing Mediterranean Pasta Salad that combines fusilli pasta with fresh vegetables, goat cheese, and a tangy dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces fusilli pasta
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup shallots, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a pot of salted water and cooking the fusilli pasta until it’s just tender, then drain and cool it under cold running water.
- In a spacious bowl, mix together the cooled pasta, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, shallots, green olives, goat cheese, and fresh basil.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the avocado oil, balsamic vinegar, thyme, onion powder, salt, and pepper, whisking until well blended.
- Drizzle the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
- Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing meal.
Notes
- For a heartier dish, add some grilled shrimp or roasted chickpeas.
- Swap out goat cheese for a vegan alternative like nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg