Cold Pasta Salad Easy: A Simple, Flavorful Feast
A refreshing, make-ahead pasta salad with crisp vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, this dish combines seasonal produce, cheeses, and herbs for a vibrant, restaurant-quality meal. Chill to enhance flavors and enjoy as a main or side dish.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Cold
- Cuisine: American/Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta (fusilli, penne, rotini, or farfalle)
1 cup bell pepper, sliced
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup green onions, thinly sliced
5–6 pepperoncini or banana peppers, sliced
1/4 cup mixed olives, halved (optional)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (2 ounces)
1 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup fine sea salt (for pasta water)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1/3 cup fine sea salt
Add 1 pound dried pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente
Drain pasta and let cool completely
In a bowl, combine cooled pasta, 1 cup bell pepper, 1 zucchini, 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/3 cup green onions, 5-6 peppers, and 1/4 cup olives (if using)
Gently fold in 1 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 cup mozzarella balls, and 1 cup fresh herbs
Whisk together 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and a bit of salt to taste
Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat evenly
Let salad chill for at least 1 hour before serving
Notes
Vinegar options: Use white balsamic or apple cider vinegar instead of wine-based variants to avoid alcohol
Cheese substitutions: Opt for vegetarian-certified Parmesan or substitute with asiago or fresh mozzarella
Optional ingredients: Mixed olives add brininess if available
Storage: Best when chilled; refrigerate for up to 24 hours for optimal flavor
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 2 cups
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Find it online: https://doughdazzle.com/cold-pasta-salad/