Try this Zesty Italian Pasta Salad recipe, or contribute your own.
- Carbohydrate 57.5943800096876 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 18.9229800003378 g
- Fiber 12.2482000081945 g
- Protein 7.87600000161412 g
- Saturated Fat 2.56948000006953 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (996g)
- Sodium 1502.17466667082 mg
- Sugar 45.3461800014931 g
- Trans Fat 1.40622133355321 g
- Calories 392 calories
Step-by-step
- Prepare noodles as directed on package.
- Using a colander; drain noodles and spray cool water on them to rinse and cool.
- Put noodles in a clear glass serving bowl. Dice all veggies; then place them on top of cooked noodles.
- Then add Zesty Italian dressing and gently mix well.
- Cover and chill before serving.
- For best results, prepare the day before you wish to use. Stir a couple of times that day and prior to serving. You may need to add a little extra dressing before serving as the noodles will soak it up.
Cooling cooked pasta quickly with cold water halts the internal cooking process and prevents the starches from continuing to gelatinize, which stops the noodles from becoming mushy. You will need a large colander with a stable base to ensure proper drainage, as excess surface water will dilute the dressing. A four-quart pot provides sufficient boiling space for a standard package of pasta, allowing the starches to disperse into the water rather than turning the noodles sticky.
Fresh vegetables release moisture gradually over time, whereas jarred or pickled components maintain a more stable cellular structure when submerged in oil and vinegar. Dicing the bell peppers and cucumbers to a uniform quarter-inch cube ensures that each spoonful contains a balanced distribution of textures. A sharp chef knife and a stable wooden cutting board are essential for executing clean cuts without bruising the delicate flesh of the tomatoes.
Pasta acts as a porous matrix that absorbs liquids continuously during refrigeration. Storing the dish in an airtight glass container prevents the absorption of ambient refrigerator odors while allowing the oil-based dressing to thoroughly penetrate the noodle interiors over a twelve-to-twenty-four-hour resting window. Reserve a small portion of unused dressing in a separate squeeze bottle to refresh the moisture balance right before service.
Stainless steel mixing bowls are non-reactive and withstand heavy-duty tossing without chipping, making them ideal for combining dense vegetables with resilient noodles. Rubber spatulas with flexible edges help scrape down bowl sides efficiently, ensuring no dressing pools at the bottom. Metal utensils should be avoided if using coated bowls, though standard glass serving vessels pair well with silicone or wooden servers to protect the servingware surface.
