Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients

   7 min hands-on5 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Quarter the tomatoes and slice the olives.
   • Rinse the capers under cold water.
   • Grate the Parmesan cheese and set aside a portion of parsley for garnish.
   • Finely chop the remaining parsley and juice the lemons.

2. Cook Pasta

   3 min hands-on10 min waiting

   • Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, stirring occasionally.
   • Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water, then shake off excess water.

3. Build Flavor Base

   2 min hands-on

   • In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, olives, capers, chopped parsley, and Parmesan.
   • Sprinkle with cayenne for heat.

4. Combine Pasta and Dressing

   2 min hands-on

   • Add the cooled pasta to the bowl.
   • Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, starting with a small amount and adding more to taste.
   • Toss gently to coat and distribute ingredients evenly.

5. Season to Taste

   1 min hands-on

   • Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
   • Adjust lemon juice, olive oil, or seasoning to balance flavors.

6. Serve and Garnish

   1 min hands-on30 min waiting

   • Transfer to a serving dish or bowls.
   • Garnish with reserved parsley leaves.
   • Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes if preferred.
   • Cooking tips:
   • Use ripe, in-season tomatoes for better flavor.
   • Ensure pasta is dry after rinsing to prevent watery dressing.
   • Add sun-dried tomatoes for a stronger umami flavor.
   • Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled for best flavor.