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A light, vibrant, and tangy pasta salad featuring sundried tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette. Ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for meal prep or summer gatherings.
Looking for a quick and delicious pasta salad recipe that’s perfect for warm weather, meal prepping, or bringing to a summer BBQ? This Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Made with tangy sundried tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a simple homemade vinaigrette, this vibrant salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavour—and it comes together in under 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy – Just 25 minutes from start to finish.
- Meal prep friendly – Perfect for lunches throughout the week.
- Light yet satisfying – Great as a side dish or with added chicken for a full meal.
- Made with simple pantry staples – Olive oil, pasta, sundried tomatoes, and herbs!
Whether you’re planning a picnic, hosting friends, or need something fresh for weekday lunches, this goat cheese pasta salad will be your new go-to recipe.
Preparing Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp herbs de Provence
- 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Pasta Salad
- 250g macaroni
- 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup red pepper, finely diced
- 2 tbsp red onion, finely diced
- 3/4 cup shredded chicken (optional but recommended for added protein)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
Step 2: Mix the Dressing
In a small mason jar or glass cup, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs de Provence, Dijon mustard, and salt. Shake or whisk until emulsified.
Step 3: Chop the Veggies
Dice the sundried tomatoes, red pepper, red onion, and fresh basil. Set aside.
Step 4: Prep the Protein (Optional)
If using chicken, shred a cooked breast or use rotisserie chicken for ease.
Step 5: Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and optional shredded chicken. Crumble goat cheese over top. Pour on the vinaigrette and toss everything together until well coated.
Step 6: Serve or Store
Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Flavours intensify over time, making leftovers even better!
Tips and Variations
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken for a lighter, plant-based option.
- Use different pasta: Bow ties, penne, or rotini all work great!
- Add crunch: Toss in a handful of toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds.
- Amp up the veggies: Add cucumber, cherry tomatoes, or arugula for extra freshness.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This summer pasta salad is a delicious side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. It’s also a great meal-prep idea for lunches, especially with the added protein from shredded chicken.
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Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese
Equipment
- Knives
- Medium pot
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
Dressing:
Pasta salad:
- 250 g macaroni
- ¼ cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 tsp fresh basil
- 2 tbsp goat cheese
- ¼ cup red pepper
- 2 tbsp red onion
- ¾ cup shredded chicken optional
Instructions
- Start by cooking the noodles according to the package instructions.250 g macaroni
- Next, make the dressing. Combine all of the Dressing ingredients in a glass measuring cup or small mason jar. Whisk or shake well to combine all of the ingredients.2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp herbs the Provence, 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt
- Lastly, prepare all of the remaining ingredients. Chop the sundried tomatoes, basil, red pepper, and red onion.1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, 1 tsp fresh basil, 1/4 cup red pepper, 2 tbsp red onion
- Optional: If you would like to add chicken, you can use rotisserie chicken or cook a chicken breast and shred it.3/4 cup shredded chicken
- Once the noodles are cooked, strain them in a colander. To cool them, rinse them with cold water.
- Add the noodles and prepped ingredients to a large bowl. Then crumble goat cheese and shredded chicken on top. Pour over the dressing and toss to combine well.2 tbsp goat cheese
