This is a very convenient and quick pasta recipe, unlike other pasta preparations, it doesn’t require any sautéing or mixing of sauce with pasta. Not only is the preparation process fast, but the taste is also refreshing enough, making it suitable for both individual consumption and sharing with family and friends. It’s an ideal choice for your busy workdays.
3 cups cooked and cooled penne pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup black olives, sliced
1 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 cup Italian salad dressing
1/2 cup Italian cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup smoked ham chunks or grilled chicken chunks
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
Equipment
Hybrid Nonstick Pan
Mixing Bowl
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The ingredients you‘ll need
Penne Pasta: Choose high-quality penne pasta, ensuring it maintains a certain firmness after cooking. Avoid overcooking to preserve the salad’s texture.
Fresh Vegetables: Opt for fresh and ripe cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion to enhance the salad’s flavor. When chopping, ensure uniform sizes for better texture.
Italian Salad Dressing: Choose a high-quality Italian salad dressing, or you can make your own, ensuring it includes fresh herbs and premium olive oil.
Italian Cheese: Use Parmesan or Italian Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded, to ensure the rich flavor of the cheese blends perfectly into the salad.
Parsley and Basil: Fresh parsley and basil add aroma and color to the salad. Chop them finely while maintaining their freshness.
Smoked Ham or Chicken: If adding smoked ham or grilled chicken, ensure the ham is of high-quality, and the chicken is perfectly grilled to maintain a balanced texture and taste.
How to make it
Step 1
Cook the penne pasta, drain, and let it cool.
Step 2
In a large bowl, mix the cooked penne pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, diced green bell pepper, diced yellow bell pepper, and diced red onion.
Step 3
In another bowl, stir together Italian salad dressing, Italian cheese, olive oil, white vinegar, honey, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to create the sauce.
Step 4
Pour the sauce over the penne mixture and gently stir to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Add chopped parsley and basil, and stir again. If desired, add smoked ham chunks or grilled chicken chunks and stir until evenly distributed.
Step 5
When serving, sprinkle Parmesan cheese shavings on top as a garnish.
Tips
Preserving the Penne Texture: Ensure you follow the cooking instructions on the pasta packaging and be mindful not to overcook. After cooking, rinse the penne with cold water to stop the cooking process and ensure the pasta maintains its firmness.
Uniform Vegetable Cutting: Cut the vegetables into similar-sized chunks, aiding in ensuring an even fusion of flavors in each bite.
Even Mixing of Salad Dressing: When combining the salad dressing, make sure to evenly coat all the penne and vegetables, allowing for a thorough infusion of various flavors.
Adding Parmesan Cheese at the End: Only grate the Parmesan cheese during the final decoration stage to ensure its aromatic and distinctive taste is evenly distributed throughout the entire salad.
While this dish is a cold salad, it is suitable for both winter and summer. In the winter, imagine sitting around the fireplace, enjoying a meal with warm soup, using this salad as an appetizer or a refreshing palate cleanser. In the summer, after preparing it, you can refrigerate it for an hour. The chilled sensation not only enhances its freshness but also makes you momentarily forget the heat, providing a refreshing experience. Give it a try!