If you’ve ever tried the Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad from Wholefoods, you’ll understand my love for this pasta salad. It was love at first bite! I knew I had to make this on repeat from the comfort of my own home.
The basic fundamentals of a cold pasta salad are mayonnaise and vinegar, so from there, it was just a matter of figuring out the spices. Y’all know I love my spicy so I added a touch of cayenne pepper and the obvious garlic cause well, what is life without garlic?!
This is the perfect pasta salad all year round! The Smoked Mozzarella adds such a delicious kick especially when you add garlic and Cayenne pepper! This is one of those pasta salads that you can make in mass quantity and see it disappear within days! I tend to leave the cheese out and add as I consume just to keep it firm!
Sidenote: The Smoked Mozzarella tastes amazing with both red pepper as is for an extra crunch or simply roast it for that delicious roasted flavour!
Fan of cheese? Try our Mouthwatering Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe!
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup low-fat mayonnaise
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic minced (1 and ½ tsp.)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- ½ bag penne pasta
- 2 cups packed of washed and stemmed baby spinach
- 4 pieces Diced Roasted red pepper
- ½ pound Diced smoked mozzarella cheese
- Combine the Parmesan cheese, parsley, mayonnaise, vinegar, garlic, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper with a hand mixer or in the bowl of food processor or in a blender until the dressing is smooth.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until it is al dente. Drain the pasta into a colander, run cold water over it or submerge it in ice water until chilled through, and drain well. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, spinach, roasted red peppers, and smoked mozzarella.
For best results, make this ahead of time and let chill for 2-4 hours before serving. Serve cold.
Makes the perfect snack, or side dish! Trust me you cannot go wrong with this Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad!
Looking for dessert? Try our Rum & Eggnog Cheesecake
PIN IT FOR LATER
This looks so good. I think even my kids would enjoy this for a school lunch.
Looks delicious! The thing I love about a pasta salad is that usually it tastes even BETTER the next day. All those flavours soak in and mmmm extra tasty. I am a fan of smoked mozza and cheddar. Basically a fan of all cheese lol.
Yum! I love mozzarella. This is a delicious pasta salad.
I still remember how amazing this salad was when you made it in the Summer. Sooo good!
Pasta always wins me over its comfort food, but this is stepping it up a few notches.
Looks so yum! We love anything with cheese so this would be a hit for us!
Looks YUMMY, and super easy too! Great recipe, thanks so putting together and sharing!
Oh wow, this looks better than macaroni and cheese! Will definitely be making this dish.
I know we already had this chat elsewhere online, but I say any smoked cheese is always a winner. Smoked mozza, sure. But also smoked gouda, smoked cheddar…. smoked cheese is the best!
leave it to you to make me eat a pasta salad heheh
Wow I’m drooling just reading this recipe . Definitely going to try it. I don’t think I’ve even tried smoked mozzarella.
My family would love this pasta salad
Mmmmm that looks so good, I love cheese and pasta!