Crispy Pasta Salad
Crispy Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Crispy Pasta
- 1 pound pasta, e.g., rotini or fusilli
- 1/2 cup pesto, high-quality
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire or soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, large, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
For the Salad Assembly
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 6 ounces deli meat, sliced, e.g., salami, turkey, ham
- 4 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta thoroughly.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
In a bowl, add the drained pasta and toss it with the high-quality pesto until every piece is evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Spread the pesto-coated pasta in a single layer onto an air fryer tray or basket. Air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the pasta becomes golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 375
- 4
While the pasta is air-frying, prepare the dressing. In a separate medium bowl, combine the pepperoncini brine, mayonnaise, extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt, ground pepper, Worcestershire or soy sauce, grated garlic clove, fresh grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh squeezed lemon juice.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
In a large serving bowl, add the shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and sliced pepperoncini peppers.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Add the prepared crispy air-fried pesto pasta to the bowl with the vegetables.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Arrange slices of various deli meats (such as salami, turkey, and ham) and slices of provolone cheese over the salad mixture.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Pour the whisked dressing generously over all the assembled salad ingredients.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Toss the salad gently to ensure all components are thoroughly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the crispiness of the pasta.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Pasta Salad
For the Crispy Pasta
- 1 pound pasta, e.g., rotini or fusilli
- 1/2 cup pesto, high-quality
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire or soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, large, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
For the Salad Assembly
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 6 ounces deli meat, sliced, e.g., salami, turkey, ham
- 4 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta thoroughly.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
In a bowl, add the drained pasta and toss it with the high-quality pesto until every piece is evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Spread the pesto-coated pasta in a single layer onto an air fryer tray or basket. Air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the pasta becomes golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 375 - 4
While the pasta is air-frying, prepare the dressing. In a separate medium bowl, combine the pepperoncini brine, mayonnaise, extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt, ground pepper, Worcestershire or soy sauce, grated garlic clove, fresh grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh squeezed lemon juice.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
In a large serving bowl, add the shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and sliced pepperoncini peppers.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Add the prepared crispy air-fried pesto pasta to the bowl with the vegetables.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Arrange slices of various deli meats (such as salami, turkey, and ham) and slices of provolone cheese over the salad mixture.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Pour the whisked dressing generously over all the assembled salad ingredients.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Toss the salad gently to ensure all components are thoroughly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the crispiness of the pasta.
⏱️ 2 min