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Creamy Tuscan Pasta Salad: Quick, Flavorful, and Elegant

Discover the delicious Creamy Tuscan Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil that’s perfect for potlucks and weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces fusilli pasta or penne or rotini
For the Salad
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped; soak dry-packed ones in warm water
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
  • ¼ cup pine nuts toasted lightly
  • 1 clove garlic minced or use garlic powder
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated; use nutritional yeast for vegan
For the Dressing
  • ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt or vegan mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil high-quality
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • small mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add fusilli pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, and garlic. Mix gently.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat.
  5. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Before serving, stir and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 10gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This pasta salad is best served chilled and can be made ahead of time for enhanced flavors.

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