Ultimate Smoked Mozzarella Artichoke Pasta Salad

Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey that will delight your taste buds and leave your guests craving for more? 🌿✨ Whether you’re planning a picnic, a barbecue, or just a casual meal with sub sandwiches, this Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad is a must-try. The unique combination of smoky mozzarella, tender rotini pasta, artichokes, and pine nuts creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will make this dish an instant favorite. Let’s dive into the detailed, step-by-step instructions to create this delicious salad, and don’t forget to add your own personal touch to make it truly special. 😊

Preparation and Cooking Times:

Description:

This Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad is a favorite at picnics, barbecues, or served alongside sub sandwiches. The artichokes and pine nuts blend beautifully with the smoky flavor of the mozzarella, making it an irresistible dish that everyone will love. 🌞🍴

Ingredients:

• 1 package of rotini pasta
• 1 cup smoked mozzarella cheese, diced
• 1 can of green chilies, chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 1/4 cups pine nuts, toasted
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup marinated artichokes, chopped (reserve the marinade)
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 432.1
• Fat Content: 22g
• Saturated Fat Content: 7.8g
• Cholesterol Content: 42.3mg
• Sodium Content: 992.7mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 41g
• Fiber Content: 3.8g
• Sugar Content: 3.5g
• Protein Content: 19.2g

Yield:

• Servings: 6

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta 🍝

1. Boil the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water.
2. Cook Rotini: Add the rotini pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes.
3. Drain and Cool: Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Artichokes 🌱

1. Chop Artichokes: Open the can of marinated artichokes and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
2. Reserve Marinade: Pour the marinade from the artichoke jar into a small bowl and set aside. This will be used in the dressing later.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad 🌈

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped artichokes, roasted red peppers, diced smoked mozzarella, fresh spinach, and chopped green chilies. Stir gently to mix all the ingredients well.

Step 4: Prepare the Dressing 🥄

1. Mix the Dressing: In the small bowl with the reserved artichoke marinade, add the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, minced garlic, and black pepper.
2. Blend Until Smooth: Use a whisk to blend the dressing ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Toss the Salad 🍽️

1. Combine Salad and Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture in the large mixing bowl.
2. Toss to Coat: Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
3. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even more delicious.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy 🎉

1. Final Touches: Before serving, give the pasta salad a final stir to ensure the dressing is well-distributed.

2. Garnish (Optional): If desired, garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of black pepper, and a few whole pine nuts for a lovely presentation.

3. Serve: Scoop the pasta salad into bowls or onto plates and enjoy the delightful flavors of smoked mozzarella, artichokes, and pine nuts. Perfect for a picnic, barbecue, or a satisfying meal at home.

Additional Tips and Variations:

• Add More Vegetables: Feel free to add more vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or olives for added color and flavor.
• Herbs for Extra Freshness: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano can add a wonderful burst of freshness to the salad.
• Protein Boost: For a more substantial meal, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even sliced hard-boiled eggs.
• Spice It Up: If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing.

This Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad is versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences. It’s the perfect dish for summer gatherings, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors that are sure to impress. Enjoy every bite! 🥳🍃