This Cottage Cheese Roasted Crimson Pepper Pasta Salad recipe is a summer season smash! Bursting with contemporary veggies and smothered in a luscious do-it-yourself roasted pink pepper dressing that’s equal elements smoky, candy, and creamy. It’s the right addition to actually any yard grill out.
I really like discovering new methods to get inventive with pasta salad. It’s principally my summer season love language. Whether or not I’m whipping up my zesty Dilly Tuna Pasta Salad for seashore days or my smoky Road Corn Pasta Salad for yard BBQs, every model seems like a scrumptious little revolt in opposition to unhappy, soggy facet dishes. This roasted pink pepper magnificence? Contemplate it my newest edible summer season fling.
No boring salads right here! Simply toss, drizzle, and devour for the last word no-fuss dish that’s as vibrant as a sunny picnic. You’re going to fall in loOove.
high tip for this recipe ⤵️
I urge of you, don’t skip sautéing the garlic! On the very finish of this recipe, you’ll sauté the minced garlic in olive oil for a couple of minutes after which pour it over the pasta salad and toss. It provides such wealthy, deep garlicky taste that can not be replicated one other approach.
Sautéing the garlic is tremendous straightforward, however it may simply burn, so regulate it, and take away from the warmth instantly as soon as it’s golden.
The Primary Elements
- Fusilli: We went with fusilli as a result of it grabs onto the sauce so properly, however be at liberty to make use of any small pasta you want that can decide up the sauce properly.
- Cottage cheese: The creamy base of our dressing. It provides protein-packed silkiness with out overpowering.
- Roasted pink peppers from a jar: This supplies prompt smoky sweetness with out the fuss of roasting your self.
- Feta cheese: Salty, crumbly magic that makes each chunk pop with Mediterranean vibes.
- Veggies: Crisp asparagus, zesty pink onion, and candy peas staff as much as throw a flavor-packed dance get together.
- Cherry tomatoes: Juicy little taste bombs that burst with summer season in each chunk.
- Contemporary herbs: Dill brings freshness, and basil provides candy sophistication.
- Garlic: That is sautéed and added to the salad on the finish. It provides such a wealthy taste, I don’t suggest skipping the sautéing.
Discover the listing of full elements within the recipe card under.
Combine up the veggies nevertheless you want! Zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and even roasted carrots can be superior choices. You can even add some leafy greens, akin to spinach or arugula, for a bit additional taste and a nutrient enhance.
When you have any leftovers, retailer them in an hermetic container and refrigerate for as much as 3 days. Toss with further contemporary herbs to freshen issues up earlier than serving 🥰.
Recipe Pairings to Make this a Complete Meal
This vibrant pasta salad is the last word summer season sidekick, able to jazz up all the pieces from yard BBQs to straightforward weeknight dinners. Pair it with Grilled California Rooster for the same taste profile, or step up your burger sport with tasty choices just like the hearty Mushroom Swiss Burger or Quinoa Candy Potato Burgers. The creamy salad is the right match for these savory, earthy flavors!
Should you’re firing up the grill, Juicy Grilled Pork Chops love the salad’s zesty kick, whereas No-Fail Child Again Ribs (made within the oven or on the grill) flip the combo right into a finger-licking summer season unfold.
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Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and prepare dinner till al dente. Pressure the pasta and rinse with chilly water. Put aside.
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Put together the sauce. Place the cottage cheese, pink pepper, feta cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a high-speed blender or meals processor. Mix till thick and easy. Put aside.
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Put together an ice tub in a big bowl and put aside.
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Carry a small pot of very salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and prepare dinner for 1 minute when the water is boiling.
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Pressure the asparagus and instantly switch it to the ice tub. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
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Add cooled pasta, pink onion, peas, cherry tomatoes, cottage cheese sauce, and remaining salt to a serving bowl and toss. Add the contemporary dill and basil, and toss once more.
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Pressure the asparagus and toss it into the salad.
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Warmth olive oil within the saucepan and add the garlic to the pan. Saute for 1-3 minutes or till golden. Take away from the warmth and pour over the pasta salad and toss.
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Prime the pasta salad with the remaining feta and pink pepper flakes.
- I selected fusilli as a result of it holds the pasta sauce very properly. You need to use any smaller pasta you’d like.
- Be happy to combine up the greens that you just use.
Energy: 304 kcal, Carbohydrates: 41 g, Protein: 15 g, Fats: 10 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 7 g
Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
Pictures: photographs taken on this publish are by Erin from The Picket Skillet.