Refreshing Summer Pasta Salad With Homemade Vinaigrette

Refreshing Summer Pasta Salad With Homemade Vinaigrette

Pasta salad is a classic dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

This recipe features a variety of fresh and vibrant vegetables, including red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and olives, all of which are packed with nutrients and flavor.

The cheese adds a creamy texture and a bit of saltiness, while the fresh parsley adds a bright and herbaceous note.

Refreshing Summer Pasta Salad With Homemade Vinaigrette

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: pasta salad
Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 100 g mixed Italian greens arugula, baby spinach, beet leaves, red chards
  • 450 g cooled cooked pasta rotini, penne, or fusilli
  • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cubed cheese feta, cheddar or mocarella
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1/2 cup pitted olives kalamata or black
  • 1/4 fresh parsley chopped

For the vinaigrette

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup vinegar red wine
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp basil dried
  • 1 tsp oregano dried
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the thinly sliced red onion, cubed cheese, chopped red bell pepper, diced cucumber, sliced olives, and chopped parsley to the mixing bowl with the pasta. Mix gently to combine.
  • Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, mustard seeds, salt, and black pepper in a separate mixing bowl until emulsified.
  • Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
  • Serve the pasta salad chilled as a refreshing side dish for a summer BBQ or as a main dish for a light lunch. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired.


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