This Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad is one of my “go-to” summer salad recipes. It is really simple to make and you can customize the vegetables to meet your family’s specific likes. You can also easily cut the recipe in half or even double it to meet the needs of the occasion. I also really like that it has a starch and loads of vegetables all in one recipe; just add a protein (either within the salad or on the side) and you are all set to go!
One minute before the pasta is done, add broccoli florets.
Rinse pasta and broccoli with cold water and drain well.
I love how colourful all of these veggies are.
Add veggies to cooked and cooled pasta.
Add dressing to vegetables and pasta, mix well to combine.
Store covered in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours. Can definitely be made the day before you are going to serve it.
- 1 - 500g box Rotini (I have also used a box of small bows, small shells, or fusilli in place of the rotini)
- 1 cup broccoli, cut into smaller florets and cooked for one minute.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup English cucumber, sliced into coins and halved
- 5 green onions, chopped
- Chopped parsley for garnish.
- DRESSING -
- 1 cup light mayonnaise (use a real mayonnaise, not a mayonnaise substitute)
- ¾ cup bottled light Italian dressing (Again, you could easily substitute the Italian dressing for something like Sundried Tomato and Oregano, Roasted Red Pepper or any other oil based dressing).
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. I minute before the pasta is done, add broccoli florets.
- Rinse pasta and broccoli with cold water and drain well.
- Rinse pasta pot with cold water and drain. Return pasta and broccoli to pot.
- Add remaining vegetables.
- Stir to combine.
- DRESSING -
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, dressing and salt and pepper to combine.
- Add to pot with pasta and vegetables.
- Stir to combine.
- Transfer to covered container and chill for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight.
- When ready to serve, spoon into serving bowl, garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy!
For example, I cooked the broccoli for 1 minute, just to softened it a bit and to also brighten the colour.
This Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad is so easy to make and a nice change from potato salad. Plus, you get loads of vegetables with every forkful!
Add some roasted chicken to the salad for a complete meal or serve alongside grilled steak, pork, chicken or burgers.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask and I will do my very best to answer.
(PS…for you readers with a keen eye, you are right! The photo at the top of this post was actually taken on a different day when I made the same recipe but used fusilli. I used that photo because I forgot to take a pic of today’s finished product…lol)
I absolutely love pasta salads this time of year. They are “make ahead” and I can relax and enjoy the brief periods of sunshine and warmth that we lovingly call summer.
I have always been challenged as to a dressing and never thought of adding mayo and an oil based dressing…. great idea.. Have already pinned it to have this week!
Thanks so much Pat! I also love being able to make this ahead of time, especially for a big get together…that much less to do on the day of
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Yum! I love a great pasta salad – this sounds perfect to go along side your BBQ
Thanks so much Soozle, I also love that I can make this the day before we need it, more time to relax!
Monica Parlee recently posted…Spaghetti Cheese Casserole
This looks so good! I like the idea of adding salad dressing to mayonnaise and will be trying that next time I make a pasta salad.
Looks light and delicious for summer! Thanks for sharing!
Love Pasta Salads in the summer, so many varieties you can make and so easy to customize! Thanks for sharing yours.
Thanks Judy, I love how easy customizable pasta salads are!
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