Balsamic Summer Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta of choice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
• ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes drained and sliced
• ½ cup sliced Kalamata olives
• ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese (Substituted shredded mozzarella)
• ½ red onion finely diced
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts toasted

Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (omitted when I made)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper more to taste
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
• 1-2 garlic cloves (optional)

Instructions

• First, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Then drain and let the pasta cool.
• Next, chop the salad ingredients and prepare the balsamic vinaigrette by whisking together all ingredients.
• Then toast the pine nuts in a pan over medium heat until golden brown. Lower the heat when needed.
• Now add all ingredients to a large bowl. Toss until everything is combined. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!

Notes

• Make sure you don't toast the pine nuts using high heat as they tend to burn very quickly. Using medium or medium-low heat is ideal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 938mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 800IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 2mg