Blue Cheese Pasta Salad

Which side of the “blue cheese” court do you fall on?  Blue cheese definitely has its rabid fans and then plenty of people who just stay clear away.  I don’t feel like I’ve ever spoken to someone who “kinda liked” blue cheese.  Is it the mold cultures or distinct smell that people have a hard time with?  Or just the strong taste?  If you love blue cheese, then you’ll love this Blue Cheese Pasta Salad.  But hold on…even if you’re turning up your nose at it right now…I’ve got a substitution that makes this recipe a winner for all!

There are many types of blue cheeses.  Some names you might be familiar with are Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton.  These higher end blue cheeses are named from particular regions of their perspective countries and protected…kind of like the way certain wines are named and managed.  Did I hear you think Chardonnay or Champagne?

So I’m a blue cheese dressing kind of girl.  I LOVE a wedge salad.  I LOVE blue cheese crumbles.  I love all the veggies that perfectly pair with the stinky cheese.  That is why this simple pasta salad in my opinion is so good.  Fresh grape or cherry tomatoes, crunchy chopped broccoli, sliced avocado, and toasted almonds.  I resisted adding bacon crumbles somehow, but you could add that as a garnish and no one would complain. 🙂

But if the thought of a strong blue cheese pasta salad isn’t for you, no worries.  Here are two options:  1) substitute ¼ feta cheese and ½ blue cheese in the dressing.  2) Just use all feta cheese instead!

Recipes are just a starting place for you to make them your own.  Don’t be afraid to try a different version or ingredient.  Especially with cheeses, nuts, vegetables or vinegars.  Sometimes it’s a necessity when that ingredient you knew you had “disappeared” when you opened your pantry.  With this recipe, I ran out of red wine vinegar mid-pour, and just added additional white wine vinegar to the proper amount.  Turned out great!

So if I still haven’t convinced you to try this recipe, then let me steer you to two other great pasta recipes that incorporate different cheeses, Fresh Tomato and Goat Cheese Pasta, and a recipe I recently featured, Tzatziki Pasta Salad.  Enjoy!

Also, I’d love to have you follow me on Instagram or Facebook!  Let’s keep in touch about all things pasta…Ciao for now friends!

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Blue Cheese Pasta Salad

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Blue cheese lovers celebrate! A blue cheese vinaigrette tossed with your favorite veggies: cherry tomatoes, crisp broccoli, avocado, and toasted almonds. For a lighter, less strong flavor, you can substitute feta cheese.

• Author: Carey | World of Pastabilities
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins
• Total Time: 28 mins
• Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

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• 7–8 ounces of short pasta (I used our Dollar Sign shapes! About half a bag)
• 1 head broccoli, cut small florets only
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (I used red and yellow tomatoes for color)
• 1–2 avocados, diced
• 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds + more for garnish
• Fresh basil leaves, julienned, for garnish (optional)
• 1 cup dressing (see below)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dressing:
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar (can sub white wine vinegar)
• 1 cup blue cheese crumbles (or substitute feta cheese for a lighter taste)
• 1 t. kosher salt
• 1/2 t. black pepper

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Instructions

1. Mix all dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined, or place all ingredients in a mason jar or jelly jar with lid on tight, and shake until combined. May make ahead a few days and store in fridge.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, rinse with cold water.
3. Combine pasta with broccoli, tomatoes, avocado, and almonds and toss with dressing.
4. Serve and top with additional toasted almonds and fresh basil if desired.
5. Adjust seasonings to taste!