Confetti Pasta Salad with Tangy Yogurt Dressing

by Renée Behnke with Cynthia Nims
from Memorable Recipes To Share with Family and Friends
(Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2009)
Makes 8 servings

In early May when the weather begins to show signs of summer in the Northwest, everyone begins to talk about outside dining and picnics. These casual meals often include a wide array of salads, and pasta salads are a perennial favorite. I think one of the downfalls of pasta salad is when it is overly heavy with dressing (often made with lots of mayonnaise). With yogurt in this dressing, the salad is lighter and the flavors come through better. I love Greek-style yogurt, which is thicker and tangier than the more common yogurts we see in grocery stores.—Renée Behnke

convert Ingredients
For the pasta
8 ounces fusilli or rotini pasta
1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded, and diced
3 stalks celery, diced
6 green onions, minced
3/4 cup diced sweet onion
3/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives
1/2 cup diced sweet pickles

For the tangy yogurt dressing
1/2 cup plain yogurt (not nonfat), preferably Greek
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
3 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons sweet pickle juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Method
Make the pasta
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta well, place in a large bowl, and let cool slightly. Add the roasted peppers, celery, green onions, sweet onion, olives, and pickles and stir to mix.

Make the dressing
1.Wwhisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise, and mustard in a medium bowl until well blended. Whisk in the olive oil, basil, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and pickle juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir to thoroughly incorporate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Taste the salad again for seasoning before serving, adding more salt or pepper if needed.

Menu Ideas: Pasta salads go best with simple meat or fish preparations, or even just a good grilled burger or any kind of sandwich. This salad holds up well to travel, great for potlucks and family gatherings.

Do-Ahead Tips: This salad can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated, and will have the best flavor if made at least 1 day in advance. Let the salad sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe © 2009 Renee Behnke. All rights reserved.
© 2009 Leite’s Culinaria, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of use.