Pasta salad is a great dish for summer parties, picnics, and potlucks. It’s easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. One of the key elements of a great pasta salad is the dressing. A good dressing can take your pasta salad from ordinary to extraordinary. This Italian-style pasta salad dressing is packed with flavor and will add a delicious touch to your next pasta salad.
This dressing is made with a combination of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs. It’s tangy, flavorful, and perfect for dressing any type of pasta salad. You can use it on short pastas like penne or rotini, or on longer pastas like spaghetti or linguine. It’s also great on salads made with mixed greens, vegetables, and protein.
The best part about this dressing is that it’s incredibly easy to make. It takes just a few minutes to whisk together and can be made ahead of time. So next time you’re looking for a delicious and easy pasta salad dressing, give this Italian-style dressing a try.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Equipment
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small bowl
How to Make Pasta Salad Dressing Italian
To make this Italian-style pasta salad dressing, simply whisk all of the ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. You can use a fork or a whisk to mix the dressing.
Once the dressing is well combined, taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking. If you want a tangier dressing, add more red wine vinegar. If you want a more flavorful dressing, add more herbs or garlic.
This dressing can be used on any type of pasta salad. Simply toss the cooked pasta with the dressing and any other desired ingredients. Some popular additions to pasta salad include vegetables, protein, and cheese.
This dressing is also great on salads made with mixed greens. Simply toss the greens with the dressing and any other desired ingredients. Some popular additions to green salads include vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds.
Tips or Possible Variations
Here are a few tips for making the best Italian-style pasta salad dressing:
- Use good quality olive oil. The better the olive oil, the better the dressing will be.
- Use fresh herbs if you can. Fresh herbs will give the dressing the best flavor.
- Taste the dressing before serving and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Here are a few possible variations on this Italian-style pasta salad dressing:
- Add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese to the dressing for a cheesy flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of honey to the dressing for a touch of sweetness.
- Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing for a tangy flavor.
Experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique Italian-style pasta salad dressing.