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.
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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!
Hi, I’m Nabeela and I love to cook! I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family-friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.
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