Italian Style Pasta Salad

Happy Labor Day! Hope everyone is having a relaxing and fun weekend!

When you have food allergies or Celiac Disease, going to parties or cookouts can be a scary thing. You’re not sure who made what, if food was cross-contaminated, or if it contains secret allergy additives. Typically when I go to a cookout, I will bring a dish I know that I can eat and I will ask what is being served. If you have a question about something, don’t eat it! It is not worth it! This quick and easy Italian Style Pasta Salad is a great dish to bring anywhere.

What You Need:

Gluten Free Pasta

Orange Pepper, chopped (you can use any color)

Grape Tomatoes, diced

Can of Gluten Free, BPA Olives, sliced

Mozzarella Mini Balls

Fresh Basil, chopped

Italian Seasoning (I used Trader Joes 21 Mix and an Italian Season Grinder)

Olive Oil

Apple Cider Vinegar (I ran out of red wine vinegar)

Liquid Amino Acids

What To Do:

Cook the pasta according to the directions. I slightly over cook the pasta (not so it is a gooey mess) but so that the pasta stays soft. Sometimes with gluten free pasta, the noodles when cold do not stay soft like regular pasta does.

When the pasta is done cooking and cooled, put the pasta in a bowl. Add all veggies and olives. Drizzle the olive oil on top and mix until the pasta is coated. Mix in about 1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar. Remember that this vinegar has a sweeter taste so add 2 teaspoons of liquid amino acids to balance the sweetness. Depending on how seasoned you like your pasta salad; add in seasoning and taste as you go! Add the mozzarella balls and fresh basil. Let the pasta salad sit for about an hour to let all the flavors incorporate.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. I was going to use red wine vinegar but I ran out. I also had run out of balsamic so I used apple cider (clearly I need to go shopping).  Knowing that it is a sweeter vinegar, I had to balance the flavors with something a bit saltier. You can use any mixture of vegetables in your pasta salad and try different combos of spices.  Cooking is fun so don’t be scared to try different things.  If it doesn’t come out the way you wanted it, then you know for next time! Enjoy! xoxo