Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Pasta Salad with all the flavours of southern Italy - tomatoes, olives and mozzarella.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 pound (500 grams) fusilli pasta (or short pasta of your choice )
• 6 1/2 oz (185 grams) canned or bottled tuna (Italian style in oil) (See Note 1)
• 8 ounces (250 grams) cherry tomatoes (or a heaped cup cherry tomatoes)
• 1 medium red bell pepper (See Note 2 )
• 1 cup quartered bocconcini (See Note 3 )
• 1/2 cup stuffed green olives (sliced)
• 1/2 cup black olives (sliced)
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil (sliced)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) ( See Note 4)
• 3 tablespoons oil (from the dried tomatoes or extra virgin olive oil)
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• salt to taste (as needed)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Bring a large pot of water to the boil and salt it well.
2. 2Drain the tuna and place into a large serving bowl, breaking it up slightly.
3. 3Cut the tomatoes in half. Deseed and chop the red bell pepper. Place in the a the bowl with the tuna, bocconcini, sun dried tomatoes and olives and mix well.
4. 4Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions but for a minute or two less. I like to taste a few minutes before the time is up to ensure it is not overcooked. The pasta should be a little bit firm because it will continue to cook.
5. 5When the pasta is ready, drain it. If it's been overcooked, run it very briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Remove all excess water. I prefer not to run the pasta under cold water so I don't cook it completely through.
6. 6Allow to cool a little if it's still really hot. But it's important for the pasta to be a bit warm when mixed with the other salad ingredients.
7. 7Tip the slightly warm pasta into serving bowl with tuna, tri colored cherry tomatoes and bocconcini mixture.
8. 8Pour over combined dressing and toss to combine.
9. 9Taste, and adjust salt if needed.
10. 10--- Homemade Italian Salad Dressing ---
11. 11In a small bowl combine oil from the sun dried tomatoes, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, red pepper flakes and garlic powder.