Cold pasta salad

Tips: Improve your cold pasta salad

Improve your cold pasta salad with our tips below. They will help you get the right pasta texture as well as fun ways to present the salad.

Perfecting pasta consistency

Cook your tortiglioni a bit longer than al dente to get the proper texture for a cold pasta salad. This way, the pasta stays tender after cooling, which is essential for a pleasant texture. Toss the drained pasta with a bit of olive oil to keep it from sticking. This helps the pasta stay separate and adds a slight richness.

Refresh the pasta salad before serving

To reinvigorate a cold pasta salad, fold everything together gently without mixing too much. A tiny splash of olive oil can make it easier to mix everything if the pastas stick together.

If you prepare the cold pasta salad in advance, save herbs and lemon zest to add just before serving. This will ensure a fresh flavour and an enticing aroma.

Present with style in tumbler glasses

Transform your cold pasta salad into a stylish starter by serving it in tumbler glasses. This approach introduces elegance and showcases the vibrant layers of ingredients. For a final sophisticated touch, garnish each glass with a fresh herb sprig, adding a burst of colour and a hint of fragrance.

Make a quick and easy cold pasta salad

Cold pasta salads are wonderful for many reasons, but one of the reasons we love them is because of how well they combine exciting ingredients. Our cold pasta salad is a savoury and creamy mix of salt-cured ham, avocado, and tangy white cheese with sun-dried tomatoes. Enjoy how the tortiglioni pasta catches the herbs and other ingredients with its tubular shape. Serve this chilled salad to impress your guests with its herby notes, creamy textures, and standout flavours.

With salt-cured ham, buttery avocado, and sun-dried tomatoes

The blend of ingredients is what makes the cold pasta salad. We have opted for salt-cured ham, buttery avocado, and white cheese with sun-dried tomatoes to create an irresistible mix of rich and salty flavours. The salt-cured ham adds a robust, savoury flavour that works beautifully alongside the luscious texture of the avocado. The meat also has a slight chewiness, bringing a different texture. To balance out the rich flavours, the white cheese with sun-dried tomatoes imbues tangy, slightly sweet notes. As a bonus, the sun-dried tomatoes also have a mild umami flavour that helps with the complexity of the salad.

Brightened by lemon zest and fresh herbs

A simple herbaceous touch can add extra life to your cold pasta salad. Chop the oregano and thyme stalks up just before adding them to the salad. You will experience their bright scent filling the kitchen as you mix their vibrant oils and aromas into the salad for the best flavours. Together, they contribute exciting aromas. By adding just a humble dose of lemon zest, the salad is blessed with bright, citrusy notes that cut through the salty meat and the buttery avocado. The ingredients may seem simple, but they play an important part in bringing life to our cold pasta salad.

Perfect as a bring-and-share meal or a quick lunch

Sophisticated starter? Casual picnic? Easy lunch? You will quickly find that our recipe for cold pasta salad is not just a one-use kind of thing. It is incredibly versatile, allowing you to prepare a single or many portions for whichever occasion you want. Cook up a large portion and bring to an outdoor dining experience with grilled meats and vegetables. You can also fill lunch boxes for the whole family and treat everyone to a tasty bring-to-work or bring-to-school lunch. We also like that cooking only takes 10 minutes, meaning a delicious weekend lunch is never far away.

Salads come in many forms and can brighten up just about any meal. We have a large selection of versatile salads for you to explore. Try our recipe for grilled salmon salad or chicken and potato salad for a heartier dish. Simpler options include rocket avocado salad and cucumber beetroot salad.

Put your own spin on it

While we have created a cold pasta salad recipe full of rich, indulgent flavours and textures, you can always transform it and make it fit your preferences. If you prefer your pasta salads with more crispy, crunchy textures, feel free to fill it up with the vegetables you want. Fresh cucumber and juicy cherry tomatoes have delicious but humble flavours that fit almost any cold salad. You can also toast some pine nuts and sprinkle them on the salad. They bring a smoky, nutty flavour while adding a welcome crunch.

If you enjoy a spicy kick, tailor the red chilli pepper in your cold pasta salad to your taste. Chop the chilli finely for even heat or cut it into larger pieces for occasional spice bursts. For less spice, remove the seeds before adding the chilli. A pinch of chilli flakes can also raise the heat, so add a little and taste as you go.s

The pasta type is also worth considering. Select sturdy pasta shapes such as penne, fusilli, rotini, or farfalle for your cold pasta salad. These shapes excel at holding other ingredients, ensuring a tasty bite every time.