In the summer heat, it’s really a sacrifice to turn on the stove in the kitchen. We are all looking for fresh dishes and simple ones, so as not to feel heavy and stressed when cooking during the hottest hours. Fortunately, many dishes come to our rescue, which can be prepared early in the morning or late in the evening. This is the case of the Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad. Ideal also to take to work or to the beach, this first course is easy and quick to make like all summer dishes, which I have collected together to make them easily searchable. Before giving you the recipe, I remind you that you can also read:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 17 Hours
- Preparation time: 1 Day 6 Hours
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Summer
Ingredients for the Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
- 11 oz short pasta (short format)
- 7 oz canned tuna in oil (drained weight)
- 7 oz mozzarella
- 3.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- to taste dried oregano
- 1 oz black olives
- 1 oz green olives
- 7 oz cherry tomatoes
What you need for the Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Pot
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 2 Spoons
- 1 Oval dish
- 1 Colander
Procedure for the Mediterranean Cold Pasta Salad
Wash the cherry tomatoes, dry them, and cut them in half or quarters. Let them drain to remove their liquid.
Drain the mozzarella after cutting it into small cubes, as big or small as you like.
As for the olives, I added both black and green ones because I particularly like them. I used pitted ones cut into rings.
Drain the tuna from its oil and set it aside. If you prefer, you can use natural tuna.
Put a pot of salted water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta, preferably short, and cook it al dente.
I usually rinse the pasta in the colander under a stream of running water to cool it quickly.
Place the pasta in a large bowl, add the drained cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and tuna.
Also add the olives, olive oil to taste, freshly ground pepper, and dried oregano.
Mix all the ingredients well and pour the Mediterranean cold pasta salad onto a serving dish and serve.
Enjoy your meal!
Annamaria’s Tips
For salads, it is preferable that the pasta is in short form.
If the pasta will not be consumed immediately, it is advisable to store it in the fridge in a covered bowl and the seasoning in another bowl, to remove the additional liquid released by the tomatoes and mozzarella before mixing everything.
If you don’t like it cold, once the pasta is drained, it shouldn’t be rinsed but seasoned immediately to have a warm dish.
If you don’t like it cold, once the pasta is drained, it shouldn’t be rinsed but seasoned immediately to have a warm dish.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I add another type of cheese?
Of course, you can add any other type of fresh cheese to your taste.
Can I replace oregano with basil?
Absolutely yes.
