An Easy flavourful Pasta Salad Recipe made with pancetta, parmesan flakes, fresh tomatoes and spices all tossed together with Rotini Pasta. So good, the perfect main dish or side dish idea.
Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy Italian Pasta Salad RecipeIt seems in the summertime I make less hot Pasta Recipes and more cold salads. Besides this tasty one, we have also been enjoying a few of the following salads –
a yummy Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad or this one made with Fresh Summer Veggies although this Butterfly Pasta Salad is always a favourite with my kids.
But I have to say this one made with Rotini is one delicious Pasta Salad. Made with fresh ingredients including grape tomatoes, basil and rucola, then toss in a couple of our (ok my) favourites –
Pancetta and fresh Parmesan flakes, you know it’s going to be a good one.
How to make Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta in a big pot of boiling salted water until al-dente.
- Drain the pasta and let cool, toss the pasta with a drizzle of olive oil, this is done so that the pasta doesn’t stick while cooling.
- Cook the pancetta in a small frying pan until golden. Drain on a paper towel.
- In a large bowl add the pasta, pancetta, tomatoes, oregano, fresh basil, salt, pepper, parmesan cheese flakes, arugula and olive oil, toss gently to combine.
- Taste for salt, add a sprinkling if necessary.
How to make Parmesan Flakes
It’s best to buy a piece of Parmesan (either Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano) and using a potato peeler peel off small flakes.
How to measure cooked pasta from dry
I made this recipe with 4 cups cooked pasta so I used just over 2 cups (200 grams) of dry pasta. So it’s almost a 2 for 1 (1 cup dry is almost 2 cups of cooked).
How to store Pasta Salad
This Italian pasta salad should be kept in the fridge, in an airtight container or in a bowl that is covered with plastic wrap. It will keep for 2-3 days.
If you are making this dish ahead of time then do not add the tomatoes, as they might begin to sour or the arugula (rocket) as it would probably wilt. It’s best to add them just before serving.
So if you are a lover of all things Pasta and Pasta Salad is one of them, then I hope you enjoy this Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe and let me know what you think. Buon Appetito!
Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked Rotini Pasta (600 grams)
- 1 cup chopped pancetta (150 grams)
- 25-30 grape / cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves quartered
- salt and pepper to taste*
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan flakes
- 1 cup arugula (or more) (20 grams)
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
* Start with a couple of sprinkles and dashes then taste and adjust.
Instructions
- Cook the Rotini pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse in cold water.
- In a small frying pan fry the pancetta until golden.
- In a large bowl add the pasta, pancetta, tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, parmesan flakes, arugula and olive oil, toss gently to combine. Enjoy!
Deborah Rio says
This was a lovely salad for a hot summer evening. I did make an addition to the recipe. I am married to an Italian who can’t imagine a recipe without garlic so I added enough to make him happy and it didn’t take away from the end result. We both enjoyed it.
Rosemary says
Hi Deborah, thanks so glad you enjoyed it. I know a few garlic lovers myself! Have a great weekend.