Crispy Crunchy Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 250 g Pasta (Macaroni (such as orecchiette))
• 2 Red onion (Thinly sliced)
• 3 本 Celery (Thinly sliced)
• 8 Cherry tomatoes (Cut into quarters or halves)
• 400 g Plain yogurt
• 2 tsp Garlic paste (1–2 tsp)
• 3 tbsp Caesar dressing (2–3 tbsp)
• 1 Lemon juice (Juice of 1 lemon)
• Salt (To taste)
• Black pepper (To taste)
• Paprika powder (About 5 shakes)
• Fried onions (For topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Boil the pasta according to the package instructions.

2. 2

   Thoroughly drain the cooked pasta and bake it in an oven or air fryer preheated to 200°C for 15–20 minutes. Bake until golden brown and crispy. Watch closely as it burns easily, and adjust the time as needed.

3. 3

   Thinly slice the red onion and celery. Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters or halves.

4. 4

   In a bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, Caesar dressing, lemon juice, paprika powder, salt, and black pepper, and mix well to make the dressing.

5. 5

   Toss the sliced vegetables with the dressing.

6. 6

   Plate the salad and top with the crispy baked pasta and fried onions to finish.

Notes

Soaking the red onion in water will help mellow its sharpness. Spread the pasta out so it doesn't overlap to ensure a uniform crispy finish. If the yogurt is too acidic, adding a small amount of honey is recommended. Short pasta like macaroni or orecchiette works best.

Nutrition per serving

• Salad
• Pasta
• Healthy
• Appetizer
• Entertaining
• Vegetarian
• Side dish