How to make ITALIAN HERB VINAIGRETTE:

HOW TO MAKE DELICIOUS ITALIAN PASTA SALAD?

How to Make Pasta in InstantPot or Electrical Presure Cooker?

Making pasta in InstantPot or electrical pressure cooker is super simple. Pour pasta in the main insert. Add a teaspoon of oil and salt. Pour just enough water to cover the pasta.  DO NOT SUBMERGE.  Close the lid. Place the knob in Sealing position. Now the fun part to select the cooking time. Read the cooking time on the pasta package.  You want to choose 1/2 that time minus 1 minute. So for example,  if pasta box suggests you to boil pasta for 8 minutes , for InstantPot you will do 1/2 -1 so 3 minutes. ( 8-4-1=3).

Choose Manual 3 minutes high presure.  After InstantPot does cooking and beeps, Wait for 3 minutes on keep warm timer and release the pressure.  ( quick presure release by turning the knob from sealing to venting)

Carefully open the lid. Dump the pasta in a colander and run cold water over it for few minutes. Your Al Dante pasta is ready !!

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Italian Summer Pasta Salad

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Italian Pasta Salad is a quick, easy & colorful cold summer salad with cucumbers, grape tomatoes, fresh herbs and Italian seasoning vinaigrette all tossed together for a great potluck dish!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz tri-colored rotini
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil ( to avoid pasta doesn't stick together)
• water for boiling
• Toppings:
• 1 cucumber diced
• 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese balls or any Italian cheese cubes
• 8-10 fresh basil leaves roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup purple cabbage roughly chopped or 1 small red onion diced
• 1 cup favorite Italian dressing

Instructions

Boil the pasta with the salt in the water according to the package until al dente.

While the pasta is happening, wash and dice all of the vegetables.

After the pasta is finished, rinse it under cold tap water. Drain well.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, and all chopped vegetables. Toss in cheese balls. Drizzle the Italian Herb Vinaigrette on top, then toss to combine.

Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and fresh cracked black pepper. Bon appetite!!

Using InstantPot for cooking Pasta

If using the Instant Pot, cover the pasta with water, season with salt and then cook on Manual HIGH for 3 min and then wait for 3 min keep warm counter and then release the pressure by turning the knob to venting.

Notes

Note about using purple cabbage or red onion.

I personally prefer to use purple cabbage in no cook recipes over red onion. Red onion starts to emit pungent smell after some time. So if you are planning to keep the salad for later use, you may notice unpleasant taste if using red onion. Purple cabbage stays firm and fresh for longer duration without the odor. So for cold salads I think it's a better choice. But it's a personal preference so choose accrodingly.

To make Glutenfree Italian Summer Pasta Salad :

You can use gluten free pasta instead of regular pasta to make this recipe Gluten free .

To make Vegan Italian SUmmer Pasta Salad :

You can use vegan and dairy free cheese instead of regular cheese to make this recipe Vegan. You can simply skip the cheese as well.

To Make this Italian Summer Pasta Salad WFPB compliant and oil free

Use the whole grain wheat pasta instead of regular pasta . You can skip the oil in Italian Vinaigrette and use water or veggi broth instead.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Simply Organic Italian Seasoning Certified Organic, 0.95-Ounce Container
• 
  Barilla Tri-Color Rotini - 12 oz
• 
  Real Italian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. First Cold press. Imported from Italy. Awards Winner 16 Fl Oz Bottle
• 
  Lipper International 1154 Acacia Round Flair Serving Bowl for Fruits or Salads, Large, 12" Diameter x 4.5" Height, Single Bowl

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 164 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 391mg Carbohydrates: 20g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 4g Protein: 5g

Nutritional values are provided as a courtesy and the values are approximate. The values will change depending on the exact ingredients, measurements and brands used. As always, for specific health issues and dietary requirements please consult medical professional.