Hot Honey Pasta Salad Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Hot Honey Pasta Salad combining tender pasta, sweet and spicy honey dressing, fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls, pepperoni slices, and fresh herbs. Perfect as a zesty side dish or a light meal that’s best served chilled to enhance its bold flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- ¾ cup light olive oil
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (adjust to preference)
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Salad
- 1 pound medium size pasta (bowtie or penne)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls, fully drained
- 4 ounces mini pepperoni slices
- 1½ cups baby arugula
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package’s instructions until tender but still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cool water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Dressing: While the pasta cooks, combine the light olive oil, honey, lemon juice, dried oregano, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Combine Pasta and Dressing: Add the drained and cooled pasta directly into the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is well coated with the hot honey dressing.
- Add Salad Ingredients: Incorporate the halved cherry tomatoes, drained mozzarella pearls, mini pepperoni slices, baby arugula, and fresh basil into the bowl. Gently fold all ingredients together until evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Chill and Serve: The pasta salad can be served immediately, but for the best flavor, cover and refrigerate it for at least two hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled or at room temperature as desired.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level for milder or spicier dressings.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni or substitute with your favorite plant-based alternative.
- This pasta salad can be made a day ahead and refrigerated for enhanced flavor.
- Use fresh herbs like basil and arugula for brightness and texture contrast.
- Make sure mozzarella pearls are well drained to avoid watering down the salad.
- If using gluten-free pasta, cook according to package directions and ensure it holds texture well when tossed in dressing.
Keywords: hot honey pasta salad, sweet and spicy pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe, mozzarella pasta salad, pepperoni pasta salad, summer pasta salad
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