Pasta Salad with Grilled Sausages and Peppers

 Total Time     45 MINUTES              Serves : 6 

1 pound gemelli pasta 
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
 1-1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 
1 tablespoon tomato paste 
2 large garlic cloves, very finely chopped 
1 large shallot, thinly sliced and separated into rings 
11/2 teaspoons chopped thyme
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper 
Sausage  and vegetables thinly sliced
 2 large celery ribs, thinly sliced on the bias
 1/4 pound smoked mozzarella, cut into thin strips 
1 cup chopped basil

1    .In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and toss to coat. Let cool to room temperature.

2    .Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir the lemon juice with the lemon zest, tomato paste, garlic, shallot and thyme. Stir in the 6 tablespoons of olive oil and the reserved pasta cooking water. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.

 3     .Add 1/4 cup of the dressing to the pasta and toss. Add the sausages, peppers, radicchio, celery, mozzarella and the remaining dressing and toss well. Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the basil and serve.
Heart healthy