Smoked Gouda Pasta Salad

I am always hunting for new warm weather recipes, whether I am hosting a barbecue, attending a potluck, or just filling my fridge with a simple salad for the week. Pasta salad is a particular favorite of mine. (You can never have too many in your arsenal!) This version—a Whole Foods copy cat—with smoked gouda, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts is rich, creamy, and one of the best I’ve made yet.

Truth is, I am obsessed with the prepared foods section of gourmet markets and grocery stores. Not because I purchase anything from behind the fingerprint-smudged glass, but because I use the never-ending ingredient combinations as a source of culinary inspiration. There are always dozens of chicken salads, tuna salads, pastas and grains to choose from, each culling different tastes from around the world. And while the store-bought versions usually fall flat, it doesn’t mean those same flavors won’t translate into a delicious dish made at home.

After cruising the Whole Foods website for inspiration, I decided to recreate their “Sinful Smoked Gouda Pasta.” The flavors seemed classic, but what really sold me was the smoky spin; it sounded like the perfect recipe to roll out before Memorial Day. Turns out the choice was a home run!

Not only is this pasta salad easy, easy, easy, but it is jam-packed with flavor. Fire-roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, smoked gouda, and fresh herbs amp up the ingredient list, but it’s the creamy dressing that knocks it out of the park: the smoky heat from adobo sauce infuses it with loads of char-grilled flavor. The flavors are more complex than any pasta salad I’ve tasted!

Is this recipe a little decadent? Perhaps, although I have seen (and made) worse. But it sure is delicious. It definitely has a wow factor that will impress any discriminating party guests, and that is the result I am always after.

Pasta Salad with Gouda, Red Peppers & Artichoke Hearts
Serves 8-12

For the dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, pressed
2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 heaping tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

For the pasta salad:
1 pound (16 ounces) gigli or penne pasta, cooked al dente (See Recipe Notes)
1 (12-ounce) jar fire-roasted red peppers, rinsed and chopped (1 heaping cup)
1 (6-ounce) jar artichoke hearts, rinsed and chopped (heaping 1/2 cup)
3/4 pound (12 ounces) smoked gouda, cubed (See Recipe Notes)
Fresh herbs, such as basil or Italian parsley, roughly chopped

For the dressing, combine mayonnaise, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, adobo sauce, honey, and salt in a small bowl, and whisk thoroughly. Season generously with black pepper.

For the pasta salad, toss the cooked noodles, peppers, artichokes, and gouda together in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and mix to combine. Allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate overnight (allow 30 minutes to warm to room temperature before serving). Taste and adjust any seasonings, if necessary.

Recipe Notes

• Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain, shaking to remove excess water. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of olive oil and toss to coat. Spread noodles on a sheet pan and transfer to refrigerator to cool.
• Smoked gouda can be purchased from the deli/meat department of a well-stocked grocery store.