Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

Do you have a signature dish that is served at every event?

This is mine. 

It was about 4 years ago when my sister-in-law brought over this dish {from a recipe she found}

It.Was.Delicious. 

So I asked for the recipe and I've been making ever since. 

Like I said, this is a staple item at almost every event I host, or the dish I bring to a BBQ and every time there is a camping trip, this is on the menu!

Now it looks like a lot of ingredients, at first.  But once you start making this, you'll make it over and over and over again, so you'll end up having these items in your pantry all the time!

Pasta (whatever type you like, but I like using anything spiral)

Tomatoes (4-5 Roma Tomatoes)
Mozzarella
Basil
Parmesan Cheese

Dressing/Sauce/Yumminess
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Garlic
Olive Oil
Red Wine Vinegar

First start by boiling your pasta.  While you're waiting for that to finish, make the dressing/sauce.

Throw the garlic & sun dried tomatoes in your processor (I use my trusty Magic Bullet)

 

Blend

 

Now add the olive oil and the red wine vinegar (and salt and pepper)

  

Blend again

The longer it blends the more the sun dried tomato gets broken up, so it creates a darker and smoother sauce. 

At this point you'll want to taste the sauce.  I like mine to have just the right amount of olive oil & vinegar taste.  Sometimes it tastes too much like olive oil... so I add a splash of vinegar.   Make sure to add any additional salt & pepper to your liking.

It's really your preference :)

Time to cut up the tomatoes & mozzarella - sprinkle with salt & pepper

add your cooked pasta (that you drizzled with olive oil)

Mix it together

Add the sauce 

Mix again :) 

Chiffonade (cut) the basil

Add the Basil & Parmesan to the pasta

Mix and you're done!!! :)

yummmmm

Sun Dried Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Pasta Salad
1lb Pasta (whatever type you like, but I like using anything spiral)
4-5 Roma Tomatoes
1lb Mozzarella - chopped
1 cup Basil leaves
1 cup Parmesan Cheese

Dressing/Sauce/Yumminess
6 Sun Dried Tomatoes in oil - drain & chop
2-3 Garlic cloves
6TBsp Olive Oil
3TBsp Red Wine Vinegar
2tsp Salt 
1tsp Pepper

Boil pasta until al dente.  Drain, drizzle with olive oil and set aside.  While pasta is cooking make the sauce.  SAUCE: Place your sun dried tomatoes & garlic in your processor and blend up.  Then add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt & pepper and blend until smooth.  Now chop up the tomatoes & mozzarella and add to the cooked pasta.  Julienne the basil and add to pasta along with the parmesean. Mix and serve :)

Then throw your leftovers into a Tupperware. 

Now you have a perfect snack/side dish to enjoy for the rest of the week :)

HAPPY COOKING!
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