Crispy Pasta Salad
Crispy Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Crispy Pasta
- 8 ounces short pasta, such as rotini, penne, or farfalle
- 1/2 cup pesto, high-quality
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Salad Base
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 4 ounces provolone cheese, cubed or shredded
- 4 ounces salami, diced
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, large, grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain again thoroughly.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the 1/2 cup of pesto until evenly coated. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss again to ensure the pasta doesn't stick.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Spread the pesto-coated pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375
- 4
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 4-5 minutes, until the pasta is crispy and golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 5
While the pasta is air frying, prepare the salad base. In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced cucumber, sliced pepperoncini, cubed provolone cheese, and diced salami.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: pepperoncini brine, mayonnaise, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce), grated garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Add the slightly cooled crispy pasta to the salad base. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Pasta Salad
For the Crispy Pasta
- 8 ounces short pasta, such as rotini, penne, or farfalle
- 1/2 cup pesto, high-quality
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Salad Base
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 4 ounces provolone cheese, cubed or shredded
- 4 ounces salami, diced
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, large, grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain again thoroughly.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the 1/2 cup of pesto until evenly coated. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss again to ensure the pasta doesn't stick.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Spread the pesto-coated pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375 - 4
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 4-5 minutes, until the pasta is crispy and golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 5
While the pasta is air frying, prepare the salad base. In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced cucumber, sliced pepperoncini, cubed provolone cheese, and diced salami.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: pepperoncini brine, mayonnaise, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce), grated garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Add the slightly cooled crispy pasta to the salad base. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min