Spicy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

This spicy sun-dried tomato pasta salad recipe is our new go-to. It's incredibly simple to make with just 7 ingredients, but crazy addictive!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Noodles and Pasta

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Calories: 384kcal

1 pound dried bow tie pasta (farfalle)
1¾ teaspoons salt (divided)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (divided)
½ to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
3 ounces sun-dried tomatoes (dry-packed preferable to packed in oil, julienne cut - about 1 cup)
8-12 ounces mozzarella pearls
1 cup basil leaves (julienned)

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Boil according to package instructions until al dente.
Meanwhile, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a small pan over medium heat, and add the chili flakes. Toast for 30 seconds, and turn off the heat.
Drain the pasta and add it to a large bowl. Add the remaining ¾ teaspoon salt, the oil with the chili flakes plus the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and the sun-dried tomatoes (the oil and the steam from the hot pasta will help rehydrate the sun-dried tomatoes. Mix well, and allow the pasta to cool until it’s no longer piping hot.
Add the mozzarella pearls and the julienned basil. Mix well. Chill until ready to serve. (Make ahead up to 1 day in advance. Enjoy within 3 days of making, as the mozzarella pearls won’t last much longer than that!)