Friday, July 18, 2014

Gluten Free Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

One of my favorite dishes to make and take to a summer gathering is a cold pasta salad.  For years I have made this creamy veggie packed pasta salad that is made with garlic, basil and red wine vinegar that gives it a nice zip.  Of course, I couldn't let a little gluten stop me from making my favorite summer pasta salad...so of course I made a gluten free version.
Gluten Free Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

  Although my Gluten Free Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is on the creamy side, it is still light and refreshing with it's crunchy peppers and bright tomatoes.  I am lucky that my neighbor grows tomatoes and shares with me!  I also grow my own basil, making this pasta salad a fresh summer treat (although it is still great with store bought veggies...and is good to eat even in the winter!).

I made up a batch today to take to our neighborhood concert in the park.  So much fun!  My Gluten Free Creamy Italian Pasta Salad also happens to be my daughter's favorite pasta salad, so it doesn't hang around our house for long.

 I have found many brands of gluten free twist pasta and have liked them all.  I try to stick with a brown rice pasta or brown rice blend.  You need to make sure to not over cook the pasta, as it will be sitting in the fridge in the creamy sauce and will continue to soften.

Well, I better give you the recipe now...the concert is about to start!

GLUTEN FREE CREAMY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
Recipe From: Goodies Gone Gluten Free
Adapted from: Hellmann's
Yield: About 3 Cups
click here for Printable Recipe

1 cup Mayonnaise (you can use light or reduced fat if you wish)
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press
1 tsp dried basil or 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaf
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups gluten free twist pasta, cooked and drained
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped green, yellow or red pepper (I use a combo of peppers)
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese

Combine first 6 ingredients.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover, chill, serve!

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