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
Scale
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).
