Boil

Cook's Illustrated's Italian Pasta Salad

by:
July 23, 2019
4
20 Ratings
Cook's Illustrated's Italian Pasta Salad
Photo by Rocky Luten
  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 30 minutes
  • Serves 8 to 10 as a side dish
Author Notes

The secret to getting the perfect texture in this Italian pasta salad is to overcook the noodles to well beyond the al dente (or “to the tooth”) we've long been taught to strive for. Through a process called retrogradation, the pasta naturally chills to tender and still-springy, not dry or stiff. A thick Italian dressing (thanks to blending pickled ingredients like pepperoncini and capers with quick garlic oil infused in the microwave) coats the noodles and stays punchy even when making the pasta salad ahead. You'll want to stir the arugula and basil in at the last minute, but even those can be washed, dried, and chopped ahead of time, then stored airtight with a damp paper towel to keep them perky. This recipe serves a crowd, but if you have leftovers, they are excellent crisped up in a nonstick skillet, or used as the base for a pasta frittata, or just eaten cold straight out of the fridge—no stiff noodles in sight. This genius trick also makes for a handy fix for overcooked noodles: If you accidentally find yourself with gluey, gummy, not-at-all al dente pasta, you can save it by rinsing with cold water and then serving it cold with a very good dressing—ideal for picnics, potlucks, and desk lunches alike. Recipe adapted very slightly from Cooks Illustrated and Associate Editor Anne Petito (September 2018). —Genius Recipes

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 pound fusilli
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry, and minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup pepperoncini, stemmed, plus 2 tablespoons brine
  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
  • 2 ounces (2 cups) baby arugula
  • 1 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, quartered
  • 8 ounces salami, cut into ⅜-inch dice
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into ⅜-inch dice and patted dry
Directions
  1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until pasta is tender throughout, 2 to 3 minutes past al dente. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until chilled. Drain well and transfer to large bowl.
  2. Meanwhile, combine oil, garlic, anchovies, and pepper flakes in liquid measuring cup. Cover and microwave until bubbling and fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Set aside.
  3. Slice half of pepperoncini into thin rings and set aside. Transfer remaining pepperoncini to food processor. Add capers and pulse until finely chopped, 8 to 10 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add pepperoncini brine and warm oil mixture and process until combined, about 20 seconds.
  4. Add dressing to pasta and toss to combine. Add arugula, basil, tomatoes, olives, salami, mozzarella, and reserved pepperoncini and toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. (Salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, but be sure to stir in the basil and the arugula just before serving. Let come to room temperature before serving.)
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  • Kimberley
    Kimberley
  • lisalou
    lisalou
  • Picklejuice
    Picklejuice
  • Fwwilli10
    Fwwilli10
Genius Recipes

Recipe by: Genius Recipes

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7 Reviews

Kimberley
Kimberley March 30, 2024
I love this recipe! I’ve been making this for years. You will not be disappointed.
 
lisalou
lisalou August 21, 2023
I am a pasta salad lover. When I saw this on America's Test Kitchen, I just knew I had to try it. Absolutely scrumptious! I had just canned Pepperoncini and love the flavor it imparts-I will definitely use the brine in place of vinegar in other recipes. The thicker, flavorful dressing is so welcome.
For the proteins, I used what I had on hand; homemade spanish chorizo and a creamy feta. The only addition I made after a final tasting is the addition of cucumbers.
You hit this one out of the ball park!
 
Picklejuice
Picklejuice July 17, 2022
We loved the flavor profile! We doubled the dressing which is fantastic, and we put in double the sun dried olives, olives and peppers. We cut the cheese into larger pieces and we sliced the salami thin and then cut into strips. This is a fantastic recipe!
 
Fwwilli10
Fwwilli10 July 20, 2021
Good recipe but way too
Dry. Added evoo and red wine vinegar to improve
 
Kristen B.
Kristen B. May 27, 2020
I was really excited to make this salad but for me it came out quite dry and not as flavorful as I thought especially after the MANY steps it took to put it all together. I did add some grated fresh parmesan reggiano at the end. I will not make this again.
 
Better T.
Better T. February 29, 2020
One of the best, freshest and bold tasting pasta salads ever...and pretty healthy to boot!
Great prep. technique here as well. Will definitely make again and again
 
brushjl
brushjl September 19, 2019
Feeds a crowd? It barely lasted two days with three of us. Simply delicious.