Calabrian Chili Pasta Salad
Calabrian Chili Pasta Salad is creamy, spicy, and loaded with fresh herbs, rich cheese, tangy pepperoncini, and Calabrian chili peppers in a flavor-packed dressing.
Equipment
- pot to cook pasta
- large bowl for pasta salad
- liquid measuring cup or small bowl
Ingredients
Pasta salad
- 12 ounces farfalle (bowtie) pasta
- 8 ounces fontina cheese cubed
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Dressing
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 1/2 tablespoons crushed Calabrian chili peppers
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon liquid from pepperoncini jar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in well-salted water for as long as the package states. We want it al dente so the pasta won't be mushy. Drain the pasta, rinse it with cold water and add it to a large mixing bowl. Refrigerate it while you make the dressing or make the dressing while the pasta cooks.
- Make the dressing by adding all of the dressing ingredients (mayo, Calabrian chili peppers, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini liquid, garlic powder, salt, pepper) to a bowl or liquid measuring cup. Stir to combine.
- Add the dressing to the pasta with the cheese, sliced pepperoncini, red onion, basil, and parsley. Toss to coat then refrigerate until needed. It needs at least an hour for the flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Farfalle comes in 12 oz and 16 oz packages, so keep your eye out for the right size.
Notes
- Feel free to replace the fontina with another cheese. I like it because it's creamy and rich and complements the flavors in this pasta salad.
- I use bowtie pasta because the large surface area is great for creamy dressings. I find rotini or fusilli better for oil-based dressings.
- If you don't have any juice in your pepperoncini jar, just use extra red wine vinegar instead.
- If you're not a fan of raw red onion, scallions are great too!
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 4 days, but know that the pasta will absorb the dressing over time, so it will become dryer each day.
- If you have a Trader Joe's near you, they have an excellent jar of crushed Calabrian chili peppers!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!