The Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe is a delightful, light, and refreshing dish that brings together the delicate strands of angel hair pasta with vibrant vegetables and a zesty homemade vinaigrette. Perfect as a side or a quick lunch, this salad features the perfect balance of fresh textures and bright flavors, making it an absolute crowd-pleaser any time of year. If you’ve been searching for a pasta salad that’s elegant yet simple, this Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe will soon become one of your most treasured go-to recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering straightforward yet essential ingredients is key to making this Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe shine. Each ingredient plays a special role, contributing to the salad’s colorful appeal, fresh taste, and satisfying texture.
- 8 oz angel hair pasta: The star of the dish, angel hair pasta cooks quickly and provides a delicate base that soaks up the dressing beautifully.
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved: These burst with juicy sweetness and add vibrant pops of red to the salad.
- 1 cup mixed bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), thinly sliced: Colorful, crisp, and slightly sweet, bell peppers add a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
- 1/2 cup black or Kalamata olives, pitted: Olives introduce a salty, briny contrast that brings depth to every bite.
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced: Offers a mild sharpness and crunchy texture without overwhelming the other flavors.
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped: Fresh parsley brightens the dish with its herbaceous notes and vibrant green hue.
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil: Acts as a smooth base for the vinaigrette, adding richness and helping all ingredients meld.
- 3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar: Provides acidity that balances the oil, veggies, and pasta perfectly.
- 1 clove garlic, minced: Adds aromatic depth and a touch of savory punch to the dressing.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances and unifies all the flavors in the salad.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: A subtle hint of spice to round out the taste.
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon sugar: Adds just a whisper of sweetness if your palate prefers a milder tanginess.
How to Make Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Angel Hair Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Angel hair pasta cooks fast—usually 3 to 4 minutes until just tender—so keep a close eye to avoid overcooking. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it efficiently. A tiny drizzle of olive oil tossed through the pasta now prevents any unwanted clumping later on.
Step 2: Prepare the Fresh Vegetables
While the pasta cools, slice the cherry tomatoes in half for juicy bursts of flavor, thinly slice an assortment of colorful bell peppers for crispness and a sweet touch, finely dice the red onion to add a gentle bite, and chop fresh parsley for a bright herbal finish. Prepping these veggies nicely sets the stage for a visually inviting and flavor-packed salad.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, your choice of red or white wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and if you like, a tiny amount of sugar to balance the acidity. Whisk everything energetically until the dressing is smooth and emulsified; this vinaigrette is what brings all the ingredients together with zipper and zing.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Vegetables
In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooked and cooled angel hair pasta with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, diced onion, and chopped parsley. This mixture is where the fresh and savory elements meet, creating a wonderful melange of colors and textures that’s almost as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Step 5: Dress and Chill
Pour the freshly whisked vinaigrette right over the pasta and veggies, then gently toss everything together to coat each piece evenly. Once your Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe is dressed, pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully while offering a refreshing coolness when served.
How to Serve Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, a few torn basil leaves, or a handful of toasted pine nuts just before serving. These simple garnishes elevate the salad’s flavor and texture, adding an extra layer of indulgence and freshness.
Side Dishes
This Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe makes a perfect side dish alongside grilled chicken, fish, or even a hearty sandwich. Its lightness complements richer mains beautifully, making your meal feel balanced and complete.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation, try serving this pasta salad in individual glass jars or colorful bowls. Layer it with fresh ingredients on top to highlight its vibrant ingredients or twirl some pasta with a fork and place it neatly on plates for a more refined touch at your next dinner party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store your Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh and flavorful for up to 2 days, though it’s best enjoyed sooner to preserve crispness in the vegetables.
Freezing
This salad is not ideal for freezing because the delicate pasta and fresh vegetables can lose their texture and become mushy when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for short-term storage.
Reheating
Since this is a cold pasta salad, reheating is not necessary or recommended. Instead, simply take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if it feels too chilled before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While angel hair pasta gives this salad its signature lightness and quick cook time, you can swap it for thin spaghetti, capellini, or even small shapes like orzo, depending on your preference.
Is this salad good for meal prep?
Yes! This Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe is excellent for meal prep as it holds up well for a day or two in the refrigerator and makes for a quick, flavorful lunch or side during busy weeks.
How can I make this salad vegan?
The recipe is already vegan-friendly as long as you avoid adding cheese toppings. The fresh veggies and vinaigrette create a satisfying and wholesome vegan dish.
Can I add protein to make it a full meal?
Definitely. Grilled chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or even cubes of feta cheese can add protein and make your pasta salad hearty and more filling.
How spicy is this pasta salad?
This salad is naturally mild and fresh, but you can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette if you’d like a little kick.
Final Thoughts
Making the Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe is such a joyful experience because it’s simple, fresh, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re serving it as a light lunch, a colorful picnic side, or a welcoming dish for guests, this salad will charm its way onto your table again and again. Give it a try soon – I promise it will bring a new favorite pasta salad into your culinary repertoire!
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Angel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Angel Hair Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a vibrant side at any gathering. Featuring delicate angel hair pasta tossed with colorful cherry tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, olives, and fresh parsley, all coated in a zesty homemade vinaigrette. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a simple yet flavorful pasta salad that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mixed bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black or Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Vinaigrette
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon sugar (for a touch of sweetness)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Toss the pasta lightly with a small drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, slice the cherry tomatoes in half, thinly slice the mixed bell peppers, finely dice the red onion, and chop the fresh parsley. Set aside.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red or white wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and optional sugar until well combined to create a flavorful dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked and cooled angel hair pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, pitted olives, diced red onion, and chopped parsley.
- Toss with Vinaigrette: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently to ensure everything is well coated but not crushed.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly; be careful not to overcook to maintain a pleasant texture.
- Rinsing the pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and helps keep the pasta from sticking together.
- The vinaigrette can be adjusted in acidity or sweetness to suit your taste preferences.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or oregano for an extra flavor boost.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead of time and refrigerated until serving.
- For added protein, consider tossing in grilled chicken or chickpeas (would change the recipe category).
