Quick & Easy 10-Minute Salad Pasta
Quick & Easy 10-Minute Salad Pasta
Whip up a Delicious Salad Pasta in Just 10 Minutes!
This refreshing cold pasta salad recipe is incredibly simple to make and perfect for a quick and light meal. It’s a fantastic way to use up ingredients you have on hand!
Salad Pasta Ingredients- 150g pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite shape)
- 500ml water
- 1/3 Tbsp salt
- A handful of your favorite nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc.), for crunch
- A generous amount of fresh lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
- A pinch of grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- A few cherry tomatoes, halved
- A pinch of black pepper, to taste
Tangy Pasta Dressing Ingredients- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sriracha or hot sauce (optional, for a spicy kick)
- 1/2 Tbsp chili sauce (optional, for sweetness and depth)
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sriracha or hot sauce (optional, for a spicy kick)
- 1/2 Tbsp chili sauce (optional, for sweetness and depth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by cooking your pasta. In a large pot, bring 500ml of water to a rolling boil and add 1/3 Tbsp of salt. Once boiling, add 150g of pasta and cook according to package directions, or for about 10-12 minutes, until al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Drain the pasta, then immediately rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water, which helps prevent the pasta from clumping.
Step 2
Next, prepare the vibrant dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp Sriracha (or hot sauce) if using, and 1/2 Tbsp chili sauce (optional). Whisk until the ingredients are well combined and slightly emulsified. Take about two-thirds of this dressing and add it to the cooled, drained pasta. Toss gently until every strand of pasta is coated. This helps the flavors penetrate the noodles.
Step 3
Prepare your fresh components. Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and halve the cherry tomatoes. Arrange the torn lettuce and halved tomatoes over the dressed pasta. Sprinkle your chosen nuts generously over the top for added texture and flavor. Drizzle the remaining one-third of the pasta dressing over the vegetables and nuts to ensure everything is nicely moistened and flavorful.
Step 4
Finally, finish your delicious salad pasta. Sprinkle a pinch of grated Parmesan cheese over the top for a touch of salty richness. Grind a little fresh black pepper for an aromatic finish. Give everything a final gentle toss and serve immediately. Enjoy this quick and satisfying meal!
