Imagine transforming yesterday's forgotten pasta into a mouthwatering culinary masterpiece that will have your taste buds dancing! This Pasta Leftover Fresh Pasta Salad is not just a meal, it's a delicious solution to kitchen waste that turns simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish. In just 15 minutes, you'll create a vibrant, flavor-packed salad that proves leftovers can be extraordinary.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Leftover fresh pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Remove leftover fresh pasta from refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Wash cherry tomatoes thoroughly under cool running water and pat dry with clean kitchen towel.
- Slice cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters depending on their size, ensuring even and bite-sized pieces.
- Gently rinse fresh basil leaves and pat them dry. Tear or chop the basil leaves into small, fragrant pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the leftover pasta, sliced cherry tomatoes, and chopped fresh basil.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese using a microplane or cheese grater to create light, fluffy cheese shavings.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the pasta mixture, ensuring even coating.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, gently tossing all ingredients to combine.
- Let the salad rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Serve immediately at room temperature, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Let your pasta sit at room temperature before mixing to ensure optimal flavor absorption and texture.
- Fresh is Best: Use the freshest basil and highest quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar you can find - these make a huge difference in the final taste.
- Don't Overdress: Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar gradually. You want to enhance, not drown, the pasta's natural flavors.
- Cheese Technique: Grate Parmesan using a microplane for light, feathery cheese shavings that distribute evenly.
- Resting Time is Crucial: Allow the salad to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to let the flavors marry and intensify.Pro tip: This salad is best enjoyed immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just give it a quick toss before serving!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
