Mediterranean Pasta Salad (w/ Sun-Dried Tomatoes!)

Overhead shot of a plate with pasta salad and a fork surrounded by glasses of water, tomatoes on the vine, a cloth napkin, glasses of water, and a small bowl with pepper.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad (w/ Sun-Dried Tomatoes!)

This quick & easy cold Mediterranean pasta salad is bursting with sweet cherry tomatoes, hearty sun-dried tomatoes, and vibrant baby spinach. A summer pasta salad with a simple homemade dressing -- without mayo -- so it can be made ahead!

Course dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword healthy pasta salad, sun dried tomato pasta salad

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 258

Author Robyn Conley Downs

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound pound small-shape pasta (such as corkscrew, fusilli, gemelli, bowtie (farfalle), or cavatappi)
1 clove garlic, minced
8.5 ounces of sun dried tomatoes in oil
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
½ small red onion, very thinly sliced into half moons
2 cups packed baby spinach, thinly sliced

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a strong boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook just shy of al dente, or about 1-2 minutes under the package instructions.
While the pasta is cooking, make the dressing in a large bowl by combining the garlic, oil from the jar of sun dried tomatoes (set the sun dried tomatoes remaining in the jar aside while making the rest of the dressing), olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper, whisking to combine.
When the pasta is ready, drain the pasta but do not rinse. Immediately transfer the hot pasta to the bowl with the dressing and mix to combine. Allow to sit for 5 minutes for the pasta to absorb the dressing, tossing occasionally.
While the pasta is marinating in the dressing, remove the sun dried tomatoes from the jar and finely chop.
Add the chopped sun dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and spinach to the bowl along with the pasta and dressing, tossing to combine.
Taste and add additional salt, pepper, or vinegar to taste. Serve warm at room temperature, or cold.

Notes

See blog post for ingredient substitutions, variations, storage, and more.
Add crumbled feta, goat cheese, or fresh mozzarella for extra heartiness and flavor.

Nutrition