Pasta Salad

This pasta salad recipe is a great summer salad that is also very simple to make. Adjust this recipe according to the season and the produce available.

So, I have loads of pasta recipes because I love eating pasta for dinner. However, with spring edging in and summer right around the corner, what better recipe to share than this summer salad?

Personally, I like to use fusilli pasta, but other good pasta shapes are farfalle or fusilli. These pasta shapes are best as they don’t have smooth surfaces so the dressing can get trapped which adds lots of flavour to the dish.

When cooking the pasta, be sure to not overcook it. You don’t want mushy pasta in your salad.

The vegetables in this recipe can be interchanged depending on what you have available.

If you have been following me for a while you know that I love bell peppers, so I had to add them to this pasta salad recipe.

Capsicum is one of the healthiest vegetables available, providing numerous health benefits while also being low in calories.

Bell peppers come in a variety of colours, and it depends on personal preference for which colour to use in this recipe. A mixture of colours can even be used.

Capsicums start off green and as the vegetable matures, it turns yellow, then orange, then red.

Out of the four, the green peppers are the most bitter of the colours with the sweetest flavour from the red bell pepper.

Other vegetables I have added to this recipe are cucumbers, red onions, and cherry tomatoes.

In the winter not all vegetables are readily available, so I like to use winter vegetables such as parsnips and turnips.

Although I like to use basil, you can use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand.

Once you have decided on the ingredients for the salad and everything is prepared, the dressing needs to be prepared.

For this recipe I have a vinaigrette dressing is used. Although it is only made with 6 ingredients, this dressing adds an amazing flavour to the pasta and vegetables when combined.

If you are looking for a creamier pasta salad recipe then check out my tuna pasta salad recipe.

This pasta dish is all about the flavours and colours. Despite its simplicity and delicate flavour, this is the ideal summer salad to serve at family barbeques or garden parties.

Check out these recipes

Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy! If you like them don’t forget to rate and leave a comment.

• Tuna Pasta Salad
• Chicken Pasta
• Tuna Pasta Bake
• Pico De Gallo
• Penne Arrabbiata

If you have any recipe suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask me. A great way to stay in contact with me is through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Don’t forget to tag me @cookwithnabeela in your recipe photos!

Pasta Salad

by Nabeela Kauser

This is a light and refreshing pasta salad recipe made with a myriad of vegetables and freshly cut basil tossed in a light homemade vinaigrette dressing. The perfect side dish for any barbecue or party.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 6

Calories 458 kcal

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Ingredients

• ▢ 500 g Pasta Fusilli
• ▢ 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• ▢ 1 Cucumber Diced
• ▢ 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced
• ▢ 1 Yellow Bell Pepper Diced
• ▢ 1 Red Onion Diced
• ▢ 200 g Cherry Tomatoes Halved
• ▢ 50 g Olives Pitted and halved
• ▢ 15 g Basil Chopped
• ▢ Salt To taste
• ▢ Black Pepper To taste

For the dressing:

• ▢ 50 ml Olive Oil
• ▢ 30 ml Red Wine Vinegar
• ▢ 5 ml Dijon Mustard
• ▢ 1 clove Garlic Minced
• ▢ Salt To taste
• ▢ Black Pepper To taste

Instructions

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water, until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, olive oil, diced cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and basil leaves. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper, until well combined.
• Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until well coated.
• Serve the pasta salad cold, and enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional facts:

The provision of nutritional information is done so merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 458kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 236mgPotassium: 421mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 436IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Food, Healthy, Pasta, Recipe, Salad

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