Creamy Cherry Tomato & Summer Squash Pasta
If your summer garden is anything like mine, then its completely overflowing with ripe veggies left and right!
This recipe is sure to save the day and put those tomatoes and summer squash to some good use?
If you dont happen to have the ingredients on hand, then stop by your local farmers market and grab the ripest of the bunch.
I promise this recipe wont disappoint!
Macaroni And Black Bean Salad With Tex
The Spruce / Diana Rattray
This pasta salad is full of surprises, with Tex-Mex flavors, black beans, corn, and a variety of chopped vegetables. Use macaroni or a similar pasta in the salad. The dressing is a mayonnaise-based mixture with the addition of Southwest seasonings and lime juice. The salad is great with burgers, fajitas, or grilled steaks.
Tips On Making A Delicious Pasta Salad
- Keep the vegetables small: Cut vegetables into pieces smaller than bite-size. It helps to incorporate all the pasta salad ingredients into each bite.
- Cook the pasta to al dente: As mentioned, overcooking will make a pasta salad mushy when the dressing is added. After cooking the noodles, immerse in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.
- Refrigerator pasta salad for maximum flavor. While its tempting to dive right in, pasta salads benefit from chilling for a couple of hours. This gives the flavors time to develop.
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Tortellini Salad By A Hedgehog In My Kitchen
This Tortellini Salad is another twist on pasta salad, and we loved every bit of it!Whether its for a quick and delicious picnic lunch, or as a side to a wonderful dinner.There are plenty of options for variety here, but this recipe provides an amazing base.Be sure to check it out, we loved it so much!
Taco Pasta Salad By The Girl Who Ate Everything
This southwest twist on pasta salad absolutely hits the spot!All the classic taco flavors mixed in with the pasta of your choice combine for a great side dish for any party.This Taco Pasta Salad recipe is quick and easy to make, with plenty of room for variety.Control the heat with different salsas or add some other classic taco flavors as you see fit!However you end up mixing it, this Taco Pasta Salad recipe is a wonderful choice.
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How To Make Pasta Salad
With pasta salad, you want to start off by cooking your pasta noodles al dente in salted water. I use rotini in this recipe, which I find really holds in the rest of the flavors from the dressing but any medium shape will work. When you are making this Summer Pasta Salad, rinse your noodles under cold water once cooked so they dont overcook and get mushy.
While your noodles cook, it is time to get your vegetables ready . Make sure your veggies are cut into small pieces before you add them to the pasta salad, so you can enjoy multiple flavors in each bite!
You will want your pasta to be cool before you toss everything together so you dont begin to cook the vegetables. Simply toss your pasta, veggies, and dressing together and store in the fridge until you are ready to serve it! The amazing thing about pasta salad is that it is even better made ahead of time. The dressing has a chance to soak into the pasta and veggies, so the flavors will intensify overnight. It makes this pasta salad recipe the perfect make ahead option!
- 8ouncesdry rotini pasta
- ½cupred onionslivered
- 1cupgrape tomatoeshalved
- ½cupGreat Value Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3tablespoonsGreat Value Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½teaspoonGreat Value Organic Oregano
- ½teaspoonGreat Value Organic Garlic Powder
Linguini Aglio E Olio
This linguini aglio e olio is made from the most simple ingredients that I guarantee you already have in your pantry.
The only item that you might have to pick up is a bunch of parsley .
Feel free to throw in some additional ingredients you might have on hand.
However, I recommend keeping this dish super simple to truly enjoy all the flavors.
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Cold Sesame Noodle Salad
Here’s an almost no-cook, five-ingredient pasta salad that will actually help you cool down. “A note on noodle choice: any long, thin pasta will do,” recipe author Kendra Vaculin advises. “Vermicelli or thin rice noodles are great gluten-free options, and hold up much better than brown rice noodles when cooked and then chilled. If it’s what you have in your pantry or all you can find, plain ol’ spaghetti works just as well.”
Easy Italian Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
Last week I was unlucky enough to undergo an emergency root canal. Womp womp.
What does this have to do with pasta salad?
Well, this classic Italian pasta salad was pretty much all I could eat.
Luckily its delicious!
Perfect for these hot summer days, this cold pasta dish is super light and can even easily be altered to be a vegetarian pasta dish as well.
This dish is low in saturated fat and you can control the sodium levels.
Todays Italian pasta salad recipe is a family favorite.
Its great on its own or with your protein of choice.
We also love it as a side dish.
Serving/Time:
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Ba’s Best Linguine And Clams
Clams vary in brininess and the amount of liquid theyll release during cooking, so youll need to adjust the salt and add pasta water accordingly. To prevent the sauce from getting too salty, we recommend a measured amount of salt for the pasta water. If possible, look for an artisanal dried pasta for this recipethe rougher surface texture will catch the slippery sauce better.
What To Love About This Pasta Salad
Its hard to pick just a few reasons to love this salad.
- Its colorful and bright, as any respecting summer pasta salad should be.
- Contains favorite summer veggies that are both healthy and delicious.
- Bold flavors that pair well with summer favorite foods.
- Easy to make ahead, in fact, it becomes even more delicious with age .
- Makes 12 servings, which is great for gatherings and leftovers.
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Antipasto Orzo Pasta Salad
“The jars on your refrigerator door have joined forces in a pasta salad that tastes like the best parts of an antipasto platter ,” claims recipe author Sarah Jampel. “To bulk it up, top it with folded prosciutto, or mix in cubes of salami or Parmesan. If you have everything on hand, this salad will be ready as soon as the orzo is boiled . If you’re not quite so stocked, you can caramelize the onions in the oven for a hands-free, low-commitment alternative and buy pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted red peppers from the store. “
Best Summer Pasta Recipes
Its time to switch out your go-to dishes and start rolling in the summer pasta recipes.
Ill be the first to admit that Im a year-round pasta fanatic.
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Yet, with the weather warming up, its time to add a little summer flavor into the mix.
Now, before you run away, hear me out. The juicy tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and rich cheeses are still in the mix.
The only difference is that these summer pasta recipes focus on different ingredients and are much lighter.
Here are my top go-to dishes that are both incredibly delicious and equally impressive.
Get ready to become pasta obsessed, as these dishes are addictive!
This summery pasta has all of the classic ingredients, just with a different approach.
The ingredients are made up of juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp basil, and parmesan.
The roasted pine nuts are totally the star of the show as they add a gentle sweetness throughout the dish.
Throw in some mozzarella balls once complete to truly bring this dish to life!
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Pesto Pasta Salad By Five Heart Home
This wonderful Pesto Pasta Salad is a great spring and summer treat, whether its as a side or its own light dinner!A bright green salad with asparagus, some fresh bacon, sweet peas, and perfectly rounded out with some delicious mozzarella cheese.If youre looking for something to invite spring into your life or a wonderful side salad for your first cookout or grilling session, this Pesto Pasta Salad fits perfectly!This recipe is incredibly quick and easy, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Easy Summer Pasta Salad
Easy Summer Pasta Salad-a simple pasta salad recipe that is perfect for all of your summer BBQs and potlucks!
I make this Easy Summer Pasta Salad every year for neighborhood and family parties. It is always the first salad to go and I always get lots of requests for the recipe. I am so glad we have a blog so I can share it here! Now, everyone can have enjoy this recipe! YAY! I know you are going to love it. It is the perfect pasta salad for summertime!
I love this pasta salad because it is loaded with fresh summer vegetables. It is a great recipe for using up all of the vegetables from your garden or farmers market haul. The vegetables make the salad bright and colorful!
For the salad, we used Farfalle pasta. I love using butterfly pasta because it is pretty and fun to eat! You can use any pasta, use your favorite or what you have in your pantry. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions.
To the pasta, we added tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, artichokes, fresh basil, and feta cheese. We tossed the salad with balsamic vinaigrette. I love using my homemade dressing, it is so easy to whisk up! Of course, you can use your favorite store-bought dressing.
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Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad
This creamy chicken pasta salad is perfect for a summer picnic. It is easy to make and tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge. One of the secret ingredients in this recipe is bacon.
You can cook your own bacon and chicken or buy pre-cooked versions. Rotisserie chicken and high-end bacon are the best options for good flavor.
It is also important to use good mayonnaise and mustard to make the dressing, tarragon mustard is a good option with chicken.
Use The Freshest Vegetables
Vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers are in season during the summer months, so theyll likely be fresh and beautiful. I love to add some red onion to the dish as well, to add a sharp savory flavor.
If you dont like the bite of raw red onion, you can soak the red onion slices in cold water for 10-15 minutes, and then drain well. This will tame the flavor considerably.
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Easy Cold Pasta Salad
This is another one of the best cold pasta salad recipes. This recipe uses an Italian dressing. However, you can swap it for any dressing you prefer. Swap out the noodles to make this dish gluten-free or keto-friendly.
It is easy to make this salad vegan. All you have to do is make sure to use vegan pasta and vegan dressing, and remove the cheese.
You can also swap the cheese for vegan cheese.
If you are not a fan of bell peppers, you can swap out poblano or pasilla peppers. These mild peppers are green, so to add some color, add tomatoes.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad is one of the most popular pasta salad ideas. This recipe has you making your own salad dressing. Swap out fresh herbs for the dried herbs for some extra punch of flavor.
This delicious pasta salad is easy to make and full of delicious flavors.
Add some kalamata olives to get a Greek salad flavor. If you are vegan, you can remove or swap the cheese. Between the chickpeas and pine nuts, there is plenty of protein.
Heres A Few Tips I Learned From Alison:
- Saute your walnuts in olive oil to release all their yummy flavor, and then use that oil to sautee your zucchini.
- Instead of grating your parmesan take the time to cut it into pea-sized pieces. That way, you get loads more flavor and bite.
- Use less pasta than youd think youd need This pasta salad is more veggies that noodles. And its delicious that way!
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Easy Italian Summer Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients:
2 12 ounce boxes of tri-color rotini pasta4.4 ounce packet of artichoke hearts1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved6 ounces pepperoni, sliced and quartered8 ounces banana peppers16 ounces mozzarella cheese, balls1 cup grated parmesan cheese6.6 ounces sliced black olives1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil1/2 cup white wine vinegar2 tablespoons Italian seasoning1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cold Pasta Salad Recipes You Need To Try This Summer
Cold pasta salads are perfect for picnics, potlucks, and parties. Quite fast and easy to put together, pasta salads can also be served as a tasty entrée or side for lunch or dinner. Theyre packed with a colorful mix of veggies, homemade dressings and cold pastas.
In todays post, I have rounded up some of the Best Cold Pasta Salad Recipes. These recipes are all from top food bloggers and I have personally tried some of the recipes in the list.
I hope it will be handy for you to have all these recipes in one place, you can never have enough ideas when it comes to cold pasta recipes All you have to do is decide Which one should I give a go today?
Because who doesnt love pasta salad?
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Cowboy Pasta Salad By Carlsbad Cravings
The heartiest, absolutely flavor-packed pasta salad weve seen, this Cowboy Pasta Salad is an amazing option this summer!Two different kinds of meat, corn, beans, tomatoes, and cheese all covered in a creamy southwest barbecue sauce with just the right amount of tang?The perfect recipe for an absolute hit of a salad.It can easily be served hot or cold, and you can totally make it the day before!We felt that this pasta salad works amazingly on gamedays later in the fall as well if thats something youre looking for!
What About A Pasta Salad Dressing
Thank you for asking. This is important.
We need a tangy Italian dressing.
Homemade, in a blender or food processor, so it takes approximately 60 seconds. You made that dressing, you pasta salad boss, you.
Final step:
Toss together, taste and adjust, and exercise every self-control muscle in your body so as not to eat the whole thing before everyone comes over.
May I offer one last tidbit of advice? You do not need to wait to be invited to a picnic or potluck to get some pasta salad magic in your life.
This is a weeknights dream meal.
Stop at the store on the way home and pick up some good salami and cheese, some olives, and a few fresh herbs. Cook up some pasta, toss it all together, and voila. Cold pasta salad + a glass of rose for dinner, and colder pasta salad as leftovers for lunch all week.
I will be over in a flash.
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How To Make An Italian Pasta Salad Recipe With Pepperoni
Side pasta salads or summer salad recipes with pasta are easy because you can make ahead the pasta and prep the ingredients and then throw them together last minute!
We use store bought dressing for zesty Italian pasta salad recipes, but you can use your own homemade Italian dressing too .
You can also make this as an Italian pasta salad no meat just by leaving out the pepperoni and doubling the mozzarella cheese and vegetables.
Dont be afraid to play around with this recipe! Try it as an Italian pasta salad with salami or a pasta salad with Italian dressing and cucumbers and any other summer vegetables you have from the garden! Play around with pasta salads for summer!
Summer Pasta Alla Caprese
“I remember many a warm summer night when, motivated by a strong aversion to turning on the oven, my mother would whip up a quick pasta with a no-cook sauce,” Co-Founder and President Merrill Stubbs writes. “One of my favorite iterations was a variation on a popular theme: pasta with raw tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes basil.” If you love caprese salads but also want to be full an hour after dinner, just add all those tasty components to pasta.”
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Pasta Salad With Chicken And Spinach
The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg
This chicken, spinach, and pasta salad is tossed with a flavorful mayonnaise and lemon juice dressing. This is a great main dish salad for hot summer days, or take it along to a potluck or big family cookout. Use cooked leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken for this tasty salad recipe.
Tomato Garlic Butter Shrimp Linguini
This tomato garlic butter shrimp linguini is a complete game changer when it comes to summer pasta recipes.
The linguini is drenched in a creamy marinara sauce and covered in parmesan with a hint of basil.
If you think this recipe cant get even better, then youre in for a treat.
This dish only takes 15 minutes to make and is a super quick weeknight dinner to make if youre low on time.
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Pizza Pasta Salad By Cincy Shopper
Another delicious, flavor-packed recipe is this Pizza Pasta Salad!All the classic pizza toppings and flavors are here in pasta salad form.This recipe features a super flavorful, light dressing that covers everything amazingly.This Pizza Pasta Salad is likely to be the star of the show at any potluck or backyard BBQ.