Step 1

Bring heavily salted water to a boil in a large pot on high heat. When cooking pasta you want to include enough salt so that the water “tastes like the ocean”.

Step 2

Add ziti or your preferred small-to-medium sized pasta to the boiling water.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to medium or medium-high, so that the water continues boiling but does not bubble over. Stir the pasta in intervals and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.

Step 4

The pasta should be al dente, or feel free to cook longer if you like a softer texture or are making a cold salad.

Step 5

Once cooked strain the pasta in a colander.

Step 6

For a cold salad, rinse the salad in fresh water or drizzle some oil on them and mix gently - to prevent the pasta from sticking.

Step 7

Take the mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, ground black pepper, sweet paprika, sugar and salt as per taste in a mixing bowl.

Step 8

Mix very well.

Step 9

Check the taste of the dressing and feel free to add more seasonings to suit your taste. You can add more sugar too.

Step 10

Add the cooked pasta.

Step 11

Add in the chopped veggies - onions, capsicum, carrots. Add the finely chopped celery, parsley and sliced olives if using.

Step 12

Toss and combine well so that the pasta and veggies are coated with the mayo dressing.

Step 13

Garnish with parsley and serve right away while warm, or allow the pasta salad to cool before storing in the fridge to chill and enjoy cold.

Step 14

Serve pasta salad as a main dish with your preferred Italian-inspired sides.

Step 15

For a lighter meal serve with fresh vegetables - cucumber, radish, carrots or greens - like spinach or kale, either as a raw salad or steamed.

Step 16

Pasta salad is great for brunch or an afternoon lunch, or even as a hearty snack between meals.