Hot Cold Pasta

Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and refreshing Hot Cold Pasta recipe, a delightful fusion of warm, al dente spaghetti paired with crisp, chilled vegetables. This dish dazzles with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and a tangy balsamic dressing, all tied together with aromatic fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The beauty of this recipe lies in its intriguing contrast of temperatures—warm, tender pasta meets cool, refreshing toppings for a unique dining experience in every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy dish is perfect for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing side at your next gathering. Serve it immediately to savor the harmony of flavors and textures—a true celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams spaghetti
• 200 grams cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the cold ingredients. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, peel and dice the cucumber, and finely slice the red onion.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 4

Drain the cooked spaghetti, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water. Transfer the spaghetti to a large mixing bowl and toss with the reserved pasta water and 1 tablespoon of the dressing to prevent it from sticking together.

Step 5

Let the spaghetti cool for 5 minutes while you finish preparing the toppings.

Step 6

Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh basil leaves to the bowl of spaghetti. Pour the remaining dressing over the top and gently toss everything together.

Step 7

Grate the Parmesan cheese over the pasta just before serving. Optionally, garnish with additional basil leaves.

Step 8

Serve immediately while the pasta is warm and the vegetables are cool, enjoying the unique contrast of temperatures!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	907.1 grams (907.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1182

Total Fat 59.90g	77%
Saturated Fat 16.20g	81%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.10g
Cholesterol 45mg	15%
Sodium 2713mg	118%
Total Carbohydrate 123.50g	45%
Dietary Fiber 10.50g	38%
Total Sugars 19.00g
Protein 38.10g	76%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 588mg	45%
Iron 8mg	42%
Potassium 1129mg	24%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.5%

Protein: 12.9%

Carbs: 41.7%