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Showcase the best garden-fresh veggies with tender pasta tossed in a zesty dressing with feta cheese and fresh herbs. You can’t go wrong!
This delicious Summer Pasta Salad recipe is sponsored by Walmart.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: This salad is fresh and zesty, with a tangy vinaigrette that complements the sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, crisp vegetables, and creamy feta.
- Skill Level: This recipe is easy to make and perfect for all skill levels, from beginner cooks to seasoned home chefs.
- Prep Note: Make the salad and dressing up to a day ahead and keep cold until ready to dress and serve.
- Budget Tip: Toss in leftover veggies and cheese from the fridge to bulk up the recipe.
- Serving Suggestions: Make it a main dish and add some chopped salami, tuna, salmon, or leftover chicken.
Ingredient Tips for Summer Pasta Salad
- Pasta: Firmer pasta like rotini, bowtie, cavatappi, or penne helps the dressing cling because of the ridges and hollows. Cooking it to ‘al dente’ keeps it even firmer with the other ingredients.
- Vegetables: Bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, corn, and radishes offer a rainbow of colors and textures to summer pasta salad. Use what you’ve got or thaw a bag of frozen mixed veggies and skip the veggie prep.
- Cheese: Dry cheeses like feta, parmesan, and blue cheese crumbles add a salty flavor balance to summer pasta salad. The cheese can be omitted altogether for a dairy-free salad if desired.
- Dressing: This classic vinaigrette is made with oil, vinegar, Dijon, and a few herbs. Use more or less of the seasonings or add fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or cilantro to make it different every time. Short on time? A bottle of ready-made Italian or Greek vinaigrette works great, too.
- Variations: Add extras like sliced black olives, sliced pepperoncini, jalapenos, sundried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts.
Storing Summer Pasta Salad
Store summer pasta salad in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir and adjust seasonings before serving again.
PRO TIP: Freezing pasta-based dishes isn’t recommended since it won’t thaw as firm as fresh, but this recipe is so quick and easy, just start fresh.
More Summer Salads
Did you enjoy this Summer Pasta Salad Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Summer Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 small zucchini diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- ¾ cup julienned carrots
- 1 corn on the cob grilled with kernels removed
- ½ cup sliced radishes
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs any combination of dill, basil, parsley, or cilantro
Dressing
- ½ cup vegetable oil or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water to stop cooking.
- Combine vegetable oil, vinegar, mustard, sugar, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mason jar and shake well to combine.
- Combine pasta, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, corn, radishes, and feta in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Top with additional feta cheese and herbs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Pasta, Salad, Side Dish
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Just did this salad and I LOVE IT! Thanks for the recipe!
This salad is so summery. It’s a perfect combination between the ingredients and the dressing; super delicious
Highly recommended !!!
This is so refreshing, and doesn’t weigh you down, it is my pick-me-up salad, Thank You.
I am so happy to hear you love this recipe Ellen!
Delicious! Highly recommend.
Wow, thank you!! What a nice treat since I love pasta salad but tired of the traditional Italian- and mayo-based dressings!
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Cincy!
So good for being so simple! I used every veggie in my late summer garden. The dressing is delicious
Pinned all of your salad recipes. I plan to make several over the summer. They look so delicious!
All of the great salads is one of my favorite parts of summer! Enjoy Janet!
Great for hot summer nights and quick and easy to prepare.
Love trying new food and Recipes
You are in the right place Barbara! Enjoy!
Excellent salad receipes
Thanks Mary Lou! Glad to hear you are enjoying them!
This looks like summer in a bowl! I love it! Seeing your feta reminds me that a recipe I made today was supposed to have crumbled feta on it to enhance it, but I forgot to add it, oh well lol.
It is just like summer in a bowl… bummer about forgetting the feta!