Spicy Pasta Salad

5 from 11 votes

Spicy Pasta Salad is filled with sun-dried tomatoes, smoked gouda, fresh summer tomatoes, and pepperoncinis all in a red wine vinegar dressing. This hot pasta salad is flavorful with just the right amount of heat that is easily adjustable. You will be reaching for this spicy pasta salad recipe again and again!

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 287kcal

Author: Tristin @ Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta 16 ounces
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
3 tablespoons pepperoncini juice
1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 cup pepperoncinis sliced
8 ounces smoked gouda cut into small cubes
1 pint tomatoes grape or cherry cut in half or quarters
6 ounces sun-dried tomatoes in oil, julienne cut
15-20 basil leaves thinly sliced

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water up to a rolling boil. Add in your pasta. Cook according to the directions on the package. Drain it your pasta and rinse with cold water, set aside.
In a small bowl, combine together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, pepperoncini juice, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, add in the pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncinis, sliced tomatoes, cubed gouda, and basil. Pour in the dressing and mix well. Taste and add more salt and pepper or pepperoncini juice or vinegar as needed.
Cover the bowl with foil or plastic wrap and place the bowl in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Make sure not to over cook your pasta. You want it to be an al dente or have a chewy texture
Don't include the oil that the sun-dried tomatoes are packed in when you measure out the tomatoes.
Adjust the spiciness up or down.
Try out a different cheese like pepper jack cheese, mozzarella, or smoked cheddar.
Pasta salad should last in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Nutrition