Spicy Pasta Salad With Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes and Basil

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 12 ounces mostaccioli or penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar, plus more if needed
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotles (or 1 minced chipotle)
  • 1 10-ounce package grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 1/2 pound smoked gouda cheese, cut into small cubes
  • 24 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water until no longer hot; set aside.
  2. Make the dressing: Mix the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper to taste and the adobo sauce in a small bowl.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, dressing, tomatoes and gouda. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed, and even an extra teaspoon or 2 of vinegar, if necessary. Stir in the basil at the end. Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Food Network