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summer pasta salad recipes cold - A close-up shot of a vibrant Zesty Summer Pasta Salad in a large glass bowl, with rotini pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, bell peppers, and crumbled feta, coated in a bright vinaigrette.

Zesty Summer Pasta Salad

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A vibrant and refreshing cold pasta salad bursting with fresh summer vegetables, savory feta cheese, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and easy weeknight meals.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

16 oz (450g) short pasta (e.g., rotini, fusilli, farfalle)
1 pint (approx. 2 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large English cucumber, diced (about 2 cups)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced or finely minced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, but highly recommended)
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
For the Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for balance)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water for about 30 seconds to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Let the pasta cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare vegetables: While the pasta cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper. Thinly slice or finely mince the red onion. Mince the garlic and chop the fresh parsley and basil.
Step 3: Make vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until emulsified and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Step 4: Assemble and chill: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, all the chopped vegetables, and the crumbled feta cheese (if using). Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley and basil. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably longer (overnight) for best flavor. Toss again before serving.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette. This salad tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep. Ensure all vegetables are chopped to a similar size for a balanced bite.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean, American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 200g)
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg
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