Marieke Gouda Zesty Pasta Salad

No summer picnic is complete without a crowd-pleasing pasta salad—and this one might just steal the show. Packed with cubes of creamy, flavorful Marieke Gouda (we recommend Holy Trinity or Hatch Pepper for a little heat), this vibrant dish combines tri-color rotini, grilled chicken, and juicy tomatoes in a zesty dressing.

Perfect as a side or a standalone meal, it's fresh, filling, and bursting with flavor.

Get ready for everyone to ask for the recipe, because they will.

Recipe

12 oz penne pasta

2 cups pre-cooked shredded chicken

½ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup whole milk

1 ½ teaspoons hot sauce

1 tablespoon white vinegar

½ teaspoon salt

10 oz grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

8 oz Marieke Gouda, cut into small cubes (we recommend Hatch Pepper or Holy Trinity)

24 whole basil leaves cut into a chiffonade

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until no longer hot. Set aside.

Mix together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, vinegar, and salt in a small bowl.

In a larger bowl, stir together the pasta, chicken, mayonnaise mixture, tomatoes, and Gouda.  Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Refrigerate for a least 2 hours.  Stir in the basil just before serving.