Baby Shell Pasta Salad With Kalamata Olives and Roa

Name: Baby Shell Pasta Salad With Kalamata Olives and Roasted Fennel
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb small shell pasta, uncooked; 1 ½ cups fennel bulbs, cut in half lengthwise; 2 medium onions or 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 inch thick; 3 tablespoons olive oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 cup fresh plum tomato, diced (do nto use canned for this recipe); 34-1 cup kalamata olive (more if desired); ½ cup assorted fresh herb, finely chopped (any kind you desire, I like to include basil with the herbs); 3 -4 garlic cloves, with the peel on (leave whole); ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar; ⅓ cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (any flavor desired); 2 tablespoons lime juice; ¼ cup romano cheese, grated or shredded or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated or shredded; dried chili pepper flakes (any amount for sprinkling)

Servings: persons

1 lb small shell pasta, uncooked
1 ½ cups fennel bulbs, cut in half lengthwise
2 medium onions or 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 inch thick
3 tablespoons olive oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup fresh plum tomato, diced (do nto use canned for this recipe)
34-1 cup kalamata olive (more if desired)
½ cup assorted fresh herb, finely chopped (any kind you desire, I like to include basil with the herbs)
3 -4 garlic cloves, with the peel on (leave whole)
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
⅓ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (any flavor desired)
2 tablespoons lime juice
¼ cup romano cheese, grated or shredded or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
dried chili pepper flakes (any amount for sprinkling)

1
Cook the pasta until eldente (don't over cook); drain, and rinse with cold water; set aside.
2
Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
3
Toss the 3-4 cloves (or more if desired) of whole unpeeled garlic with the fennel and the sliced onions with the 3 Tbsp olive oil OR vegetable oil; spread on a small greased cookie sheet or baking pan, and roast in the oven until lightly browned and tender (approx 20-30 minutes).
4
Remove from oven; set aside the fennel and onion.
5
In a bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, barbecue sauce and lime juice with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Squeeze the baked garlic out of it's peel, and add whisk into the dressing.
7
Dice the baked onions, fennel and the tomatoes; add to the cooked pasta shells.
8
Add the olives, fresh herbs and the dressing mix; toss everything well to coat.
9
Cover and chill for 1 or more hours to blend the flavors.
10
Before serving, sprinkle with the Romano or Parmesan cheese, and the crushed chili peppers.
11
***NOTE:if desired 2-3 Tbsp grated Romano or Parmesan cheese may be mixed into the salad.

868

kcal

Calories

Fat

116

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 lb small shell pasta, uncooked, 1 ½ cups fennel bulbs, cut in half lengthwise, 2 medium onions or 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 inch thick, 3 tablespoons olive oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, and more.

Yes, Baby Shell Pasta Salad With Kalamata Olives and Roasted Fennel falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Baby Shell Pasta Salad With Kalamata Olives and Roasted Fennel

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions