Search
Do you see what’s happening at this very moment?!
Fall is swiftly stealing our sun speckled days; there are tiny traces of the upcoming season silently replacing our precious Summer everywhere I look: Halloween costumes lurking on hangers, pumpkin beer dancing in dark bottles, heavy knit sweaters sitting on shelves promising warmth. I love the crisp days of Autumn and all the spiced pleasures it brings, but I’m just not ready!
I have no solution for us in combating the quickly approaching Fall. I have no secret to holding onto the rapidly receding days of Summer. I have zero answers on why men are such a pain in the ass sometimes or why my new bangs stick straight up in the air when it rains. Gah- these things can be frustrating!
I do have something. I have pasta. Pasta, in Summer’s favorite form- pasta salad. This spiced up version involves a seductive combination of Summer’s two favorite friends: bright basil and perky grape tomatoes. It also pairs up an unlikely duo: smoked gouda and a creamy chipotle pepper sauce. Together they add an amazing heat and smoothness.
This spicy pasta salad is one divine way to wrap your fists around what’s left of Summer’s produce paradise and hold on with everything you’ve got!
Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoke Gouda, Tomatoes, and Basil – The Pioneer Woman
Ingredients
- 12 ounces, weight Mostaccioli
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Whole Milk
- 4 Tablespoons White Vinegar
- 1-1/2 teaspoon Adobo Sauce From Chipotle Peppers (or One Minced Chipotle Pepper)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- Ground Black Pepper To Taste
- 10 ounces, weight Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
- 1/2 pound Smoked Gouda Cheese, Cut Into Small Cubes
- 24 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)
Cook pasta until done. Drain and rinse in cold water until no longer hot. Set aside.
Mix mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, salt, pepper, and adobo in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, stir together pasta, dressing, halved tomatoes, and cubed Gouda. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed, and even an extra teaspoons or two of vinegar if necessary. Stir in basil at the end. Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.
I’m not ready for fall either, but maybe I am, considering I posted a hot pasta dish today. Pasta salad is a much better idea! Smoked gouda is delicious and a great addition to this recipe.
Thanks Caroline! I’m ready for Fall… in like a month. I just need a few more weeks on fresh Summer living before we all hibernate, and stuff ourselves with pie!
Your photos are making me drool over this pasta dish! Love the creamy cheese sauce and smoky, spicy flavor!
Thanks Linda! The smokiness was divine, and it was even better after sitting for a few hours.
That looks so good! Cheese, tomatoes and basil always seem to go together well.
So so true, the 3 of them are my favorite combination in many dishes!
Smoked gouda with pasta makes me feel all warm and cozy and the tomatoes make me know summer’s still here. Great recipe.
I am seeing a smoked gouda mac and cheese recipe in the very soon future!
Oh Jennifer, I was actually thrilled, I love love love pumpkin beer, but in August? A bit premature I think. This salad however sings a lovely tune of Summer’s bounty of basil and tomatoes, and I loved the added spice from the chipotle pepper sauce.
Maris, anytime!! Sometimes the best things in life come out of those hard situations, and I know you’ll figure out a way to make it all work out. Thank you for the kind words on my photography; the salad was so gorgeous it was hard to take a bad photo!
This pasta dish looks delicious! I’ve been looking around for a really flavorful pasta salad. Thanks for sharing!
This is for you then, dear! The basil and tomato are, of course, amazing, but the smoked gouda and chipotle pepper sauce gave it amazing depth and flavor contrast.
Hi Ashley! I love smoked gouda cheese. Probably my favorite among all the cheese! I’m definitely keeping this recipe and I can’t wait to try it! I’ve looked around other posts… you take great pictures that make me very hungry. I love what you’ve been cooking!
Hi Nami! Smoked Gouda really is so so delicious. I had to mentally smack myself a few times to stop my tricky hands from eating the cheese cubes before they got into the salad. It’s such a joy to hear you’ve looked around and found pleasure, or at least hunger, in what you’ve found. Thank you for all the sweet words, dear!
“Fall is swiftly stealing our sun speckled days; there are tiny traces of the upcoming season silently replacing our precious Summer”
noooo, say it isn’t so 🙁 Summers seemed so long when I was a kid. Now I’m an adult with (bah) responsibilities and have to work all through it seems that they whizz by in no time at all.
Great looking salad. Such beautiful and simple ingredients, but so tasty looking.
I know, remember when we had 2 or 3 months of utter freedom? I am looking forward to the changing leaves and cooler temperatures; if only I could figure out how to keep all the gorgeous fruit and produce here all year!
I saw some leaves on a couple of trees out back today have started changing colors. So.not.ready. I’m pretty sure that this pasta salad will make me feel better though. It looks delicious! I’m “pinning” it to try later. Anything with smoked gouda has my vote! Have a beautiful weekend!
I love seeing the leaves change… in October! This pasta salad definitely did the trick for making me swim in Summer bliss, and I hope it does the same for you, dear!