Garlic-Infused Summer Pasta Salad
This vibrant and refreshing pasta salad is a perfect dish for warm days, packed with delightful flavors and textures. Inspired by the beloved Naked Chef, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a bright, aromatic salad. Boiling garlic cloves with the pasta infuses the entire dish with a delectable essence. Squeezing the garlic out of its skin and blending it into the dressing creates a rich, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the fresh tomatoes, olives, chives, basil, and crisp cucumber. Ideal for lunch, picnics, or as a light snack, this pasta salad is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
small shell pasta
11 ounces (uncooked)
garlic cloves
3 (whole)
yellow cherry tomatoes
9 ounces (chopped)
cherry tomatoes
9 ounces (chopped)
black olives
1/2 cup (pitted and chopped)
fresh chives
2 tablespoons (chopped)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (chopped)
medium cucumber
1 (diced)
white wine vinegar
4 tablespoons (none)
extra virgin olive oil
7 tablespoons (none)
sea salt
to taste (none)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2
Add the small shell pasta and whole garlic cloves to the pot and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
3
Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside the garlic cloves for the dressing.
4
Transfer the cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl.
5
Carefully chop the yellow cherry tomatoes, regular cherry tomatoes, black olives, fresh chives, basil, and cucumber into pieces roughly half the size of the pasta.
6
Add all the chopped ingredients to the bowl with the pasta.
7
Using a pestle and mortar, crush the cooked garlic cloves until smooth.
8
Mix the crushed garlic with the white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and a generous pinch of sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to make the dressing.
9
Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together well, ensuring the salad is evenly coated.
10
Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Garlic-Infused Summer Pasta Salad?
It is a vibrant and refreshing pasta salad inspired by the Naked Chef, featuring pasta infused with garlic and tossed with fresh summer vegetables and a homemade dressing.
What makes the garlic flavor unique in this recipe?
The garlic cloves are boiled along with the pasta, which infuses the pasta with flavor. The cooked garlic is then crushed and blended into the dressing for a sweet, rich taste.
Is this pasta salad suitable for vegans?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, it is classified as a vegetarian dish.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for 11 ounces of small shell pasta.
How long does the pasta need to boil?
The pasta should simmer for about 5 minutes, or until it reaches an al dente texture.
What vegetables are included in this salad?
The salad includes yellow cherry tomatoes, regular cherry tomatoes, black olives, fresh chives, fresh basil, and a medium cucumber.
How should the vegetables be prepared?
The tomatoes, olives, chives, basil, and cucumber should be chopped into pieces roughly half the size of the pasta shells.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of the crushed cooked garlic cloves, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
What is the best way to crush the garlic?
Using a pestle and mortar is recommended to crush the cooked garlic cloves until they are smooth.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 7 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
How much vinegar is needed for the dressing?
You will need 4 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
What type of olives are used?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of pitted and chopped black olives.
Can I use different types of tomatoes?
Yes, while the recipe uses 9 ounces each of yellow and regular cherry tomatoes, you can use any fresh variety available.
Is this dish served hot or cold?
It is a pasta salad intended to be served as a refreshing, light dish, making it ideal for warm days.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 3 whole garlic cloves.
Should the garlic be peeled before boiling?
The instructions suggest boiling them whole; you can squeeze the garlic out of its skin after it has been cooked.
What herbs are used in the salad?
Fresh chives (2 tablespoons) and fresh basil (1/4 cup) are used for aromatics.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for lunch, picnics, or a light snack and can be prepared in advance.
How do I ensure the salad is well-seasoned?
After tossing with the dressing, you should taste the salad and adjust the sea salt and fresh ground black pepper as necessary.
What is the recommended size for the cucumber?
The recipe calls for one medium cucumber, diced.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total.
What is the primary cooking method for the pasta?
The pasta is boiled in a large pot of salted water.
Can I add other ingredients to this salad?
Yes, this is a versatile base that can be customized with additional proteins or different fresh vegetables.
What texture should the pasta have?
The pasta should be cooked until 'al dente,' meaning firm to the bite.
What kind of salt is recommended?
Sea salt is recommended for both the boiling water and the dressing.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, fresh summer dish filled with vegetables and heart-healthy olive oil.
How do I combine the dressing and the salad?
Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and chopped vegetables in a large bowl and toss everything together until evenly coated.
What is the total weight of the pasta used?
The recipe uses 11 ounces of uncooked small shell pasta.
What kind of pepper should I use?
Fresh ground black pepper is recommended for the best flavor profile.