Crispy Parmesan Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pieza Romaine lettuce (Cut into large pieces; approximately 300 g of edible leaves.)
• 0.5 pieza Red onion (Finely chopped.)
• 250 g Cherry tomatoes (Quartered.)
• 15 g Fresh parsley (Coarsely chopped.)
• 250 g Dry shell pasta (Cooked in salted water until al dente and well drained.)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil for the pasta (For mixing with the warm pasta.)
• 60 g Parmesan (Finely grated; use a generous amount.)
• 3 dientes Garlic (Pressed.)
• 3 tbsp Olive oil for the garlic oil (Use a generous amount to coat the crispy pasta.)
• 0.5 cup Plain yogurt (Preferably plain and unsweetened.)
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 1 tbsp Mustard
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed.)
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tbsp Olive oil for the dressing
• Salt (For the cooking water and dressing, to taste.)
• Black pepper (To taste.)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of plenty of salted water to a boil. Add the shell pasta and cook until al dente, following the package cooking time. Drain very well to remove excess water.

2. 2

   While the pasta is still hot, place it in a large bowl. Add the olive oil intended for the pasta and the finely grated Parmesan, and mix until all the shells are lightly coated.

3. 3

   Spread the pasta in the air fryer basket, arranging it in as even a single layer as possible. Cook at 200 °C for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, shaking the basket several times, until golden and crispy on the outside but slightly chewy on the inside.

4. 4

   To prepare the garlic oil, combine the pressed garlic cloves with the olive oil intended for this preparation in a small bowl.

5. 5

   Transfer the crispy pasta to a bowl and toss it with the garlic oil until well flavored and coated.

6. 6

   In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice, onion powder, and olive oil for the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, and mix until smooth and creamy.

7. 7

   Place the romaine lettuce, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and parsley in a large salad bowl.

8. 8

   Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat them without bruising the lettuce.

9. 9

   Just before serving, place the crispy Parmesan pasta on top of the salad to preserve its texture as much as possible.

Notes

The pasta should be added at the end, just before serving, so it does not lose its crispy texture. The quantities did not appear in the original post; they were estimated for 4 servings. If the air fryer is small, cook the pasta in batches to prevent overcrowding.

Nutrition per serving

• salad
• main course
• vegetarian
• pasta
• air fryer
• crispy
• quick
• dinner