Description
Summer’s favorite Mediterranean-style Vegetable Pasta Salad delivers fresh, zesty flavors perfect for picnics and potlucks. Crisp vegetables, tangy dressing, and al dente pasta create a light, satisfying meal you’ll crave all season long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup broccoli florets (blanched or raw)
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced (optional)
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
Cheese and Dressing Ingredients:
- ½ cup feta cheese or mozzarella pearls (optional)
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by boiling it in salted water until al dente, following the package guidelines. Once cooked, drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process and cool down the pasta quickly.
- Create a vibrant dressing by vigorously whisking together extra virgin olive oil, tangy vinegar, zesty Dijon mustard, minced garlic, aromatic Italian herbs, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small mixing container.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine the cooled pasta with a colorful array of chopped vegetables including juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, vibrant bell peppers, shredded carrots, tender broccoli florets, diced red onion, and briny black olives.
- Sprinkle crumbled or cubed cheese over the vegetable and pasta mixture for an extra layer of flavor and creaminess.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, using a large spatula to fold and coat all ingredients evenly, ensuring each component is thoroughly seasoned.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more harmonious and refreshing dish.
- Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and revive the ingredients’ textures and flavors.
Notes
- Enhance pasta’s texture by cooking al dente, ensuring it maintains a slight firmness and doesn’t become mushy when mixed with vegetables.
- Customize vegetable choices based on seasonal availability or personal preferences, keeping the chopped pieces uniform for consistent texture and even dressing distribution.
- Make the salad protein-packed by adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu for a more substantial meal that’s perfect for meal prep and lunch options.
- Prepare dressing separately and store in the refrigerator up to 3 days in advance to develop deeper, more complex flavors and save time during meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg