Mediterranean 2 Tomato Pasta Salad
This vibrant Mediterranean 2 Tomato Pasta Salad is a delightful combination of flavors, textures, and colors, perfect for summer barbecues or casual weeknight dinners. Featuring a mix of tender bow-shaped pasta, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables like red peppers and cherry tomatoes, this dish is elevated with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and crunchy pine nuts. Tossed with a zesty dressing that includes olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of garlic and mustard, this salad is not just a feast for the eyes but a burst of flavor in every bite. Serve it chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy its delightful taste as a side or main course.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
pasta
500 g (bow shapes, cooked and cooled)
bacon
4 slices (cut into strips and cooked until crispy)
red peppers
2 medium (diced)
sun-dried tomatoes
100 g (drained and cut into strips)
olive oil
80 ml (for dressing)
mozzarella cheese
250 g (cubed)
toasted pine nuts
1/2 cup (lightly toasted)
fresh oregano
2 tablespoons (chopped)
fresh chives
1/4 cup (chopped)
cherry tomatoes
250 g (halved)
white vinegar
40 ml
sugar
1 teaspoon
balsamic vinegar
20 ml
garlic
1 clove (crushed)
French mustard
2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly.
2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the bacon by cutting it into small strips and cook it in a large pan over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside on paper towels to drain excess fat.
3
In the same pan, add the diced red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes to the bacon drippings. Sauté them over medium heat until the peppers are soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
4
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, bacon, sautéed peppers and tomatoes, and the cubed mozzarella. Add the toasted pine nuts, chopped oregano, chives, and halved cherry tomatoes.
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together 80 ml olive oil, 40 ml white vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 20 ml balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic, and French mustard until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
40g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean 2 Tomato Pasta Salad?
It is a vibrant salad featuring bow-shaped pasta, bacon, fresh cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and a zesty balsamic dressing.
What pasta shape is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 500 grams of bow-shaped pasta, also known as farfalle.
Why is it called '2 Tomato' pasta salad?
The name refers to the use of two types of tomatoes: fresh cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes.
How do I prepare the bacon?
Cut 4 slices of bacon into small strips and cook them in a large pan over medium heat until they are crispy.
Should I discard the bacon fat?
No, the diced red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes should be sautéed in the bacon drippings for added flavor.
How long should the peppers be sautéed?
Sauté the red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes for about 5 to 7 minutes until the peppers are soft and caramelized.
What kind of cheese is in this salad?
The recipe uses 250 grams of cubed mozzarella cheese.
Are there any nuts in this recipe?
Yes, the salad includes 1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts for extra crunch.
Which fresh herbs are used?
The salad is seasoned with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh oregano and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh chives.
How many cherry tomatoes are needed?
You will need 250 grams of cherry tomatoes, which should be halved.
What ingredients make up the dressing?
The dressing consists of olive oil, white vinegar, sugar, balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic, and French mustard.
How much olive oil is used in the dressing?
The dressing requires 80 ml of olive oil.
What types of vinegar are used?
The recipe uses 40 ml of white vinegar and 20 ml of balsamic vinegar.
Is there any sugar in the dressing?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is added to the dressing to balance the acidity.
What kind of mustard should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of French mustard for the dressing.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 400 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving contains about 15 grams of protein.
How much fat is in this pasta salad?
The fat content is 22.5 grams per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I stop the pasta from overcooking?
After cooking the pasta al dente, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
Yes, you can serve it immediately or refrigerate it for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Is this salad suitable for a barbecue?
Yes, it is described as perfect for summer barbecues or casual weeknight dinners.
How should the sun-dried tomatoes be prepared?
They should be drained and cut into strips before being sautéed with the peppers.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
One crushed garlic clove is required for the dressing.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not listed, but the recipe uses 500g of pasta and 15 total ingredients.
Can I serve this salad at room temperature?
Yes, the salad can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 distinct ingredients used in this pasta salad.
What is the primary vegetable in this salad?
The primary vegetables are red peppers, cherry tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Should the pine nuts be toasted?
Yes, the recipe suggests using lightly toasted pine nuts.
What is the texture of this salad?
The salad offers a mix of tender pasta, crispy bacon, creamy mozzarella, and crunchy pine nuts.