Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Salad

I've posted this before but for new followers, I thought it was worth posting it again. My daughter was home for the weekend and this sun-dried pasta salad was one of the things she requested that I make for her to take back when she leaves today.

It starts with a jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil.

Add them to your food processor. I also add some of my oven roasted tomatoes. You could use a can of tomatoes as a substitute for the oven roasted ones.

Coarsely chop about 7 cloves of garlic. This is another recipe I am doubling so you can cut it in half if you don't have tons of people to feed. Add the garlic to the tomatoes.

Add 6 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.


Add about 1 tablespoon of cracked black pepper.


Add 1 teaspoon of salt. You might need to add more later.


Add 1 1/2 cup of olive oil.


Pulse until all is combined and the sauce is smooth.


I cover it and refrigerate it for a day to allow the flavors to blend.


I boiled 2 pounds of rotini pasta.


Then it is mixed with the sauce.


I added 2 cups of chopped kalamata olives and 2 cups of grated Parmesan cheese.

Halve or quarter 3 cups of cherry tomatoes.


Thinly slice 1 whole bunch of fresh basil. Stir it all together and taste to adjust seasoning.



Serve at room temperature for the best flavor. This is a wonderful dinner for warm weather. Not that we have any of that stuff!!!