Cold Pasta Salad for Hot Summer Days
Cold Pasta Salads Taste Wonderful on Hot Days!
Summer is the season for barbecues, picnics and potlucks. One of my favorite summer recipes, that is a hit for all these occasions, is Pasta Salad. This is my mom's recipe, with a few changes that I've made over the years. It works equally well as both a side dish for summer cookouts, or as a main dish if you add tuna or chicken breast. Without the added meat this salad is also great to bring to a vegetarian or vegan event as well! I usually make such a large batch for summer cookouts that I can add tuna to it for a second meal the next day. I think this is the best food for hot weather. Be sure to tell us what you think!
Photo by Agalova
This salad is Egg and Dairy Free!
My mom just found out she has both egg and dairy allergies at the beginning of this summer. Many of our family's recipes are so dependent on eggs and milk, but this recipe is both egg-free and dairy-free from the start. It will be a great, familiar comfort dish for her at this weeks family cook-out. That also means that when I bring this dish to a large gathering, I can know that my vegan friends can enjoy it as well. I like to serve dishes that everyone invited can all enjoy!
Cook Time
- Prep time: 15 min
- Cook time: 30 min
- Ready in: 45 min
- Yields: This salad make enough for a group.
Ingredients
- 2 Boxes Rotini Noodles, (Rainbow or Whole Wheat are my favorites)
- 3 Bell Peppers, (I like to use Red Orange and Yellow)
- 1 large Onion, (I like the White or Purple)
- 2 crowns Broccoli-cut up, (my husband doesn't like the stalks so I use just the tops.)
- 1/2 cup Olive Oil, Extra virgin has the richest flavor, use light if you don't want a strong olive oil taste
- 1 cup White Vinegar, (other varieties are fine too)
- 2 T Mrs. Dash Garlic and herb blend, (or your favorite no salt spice blend)
- 2 tins canned Tuna or Chicken, (if desired)
- 2 pints grape tomatoes, I often use them whole for ease, but they are great sliced as well
Instructions for making this Pasta Salad
- First step: Bring the water to a boil for the noodles. Cook the noodles according to the instructions on their package. I like to add the broccoli in with the noodles to save cooking time.
- Then, while the noodles and broccoli are cooking, chop up the peppers, onion and tomatoes, if needed.
- Drain the broccoli and noodle mixture, and rinse with cold water until the pasta is thoroughly cooled.
- Mix the noodles and all of the veggies together with the vinegar, oil and Mrs. Dash or the seasoning blend of your choice. Here is where you can add your canned meat if so desired. If you are making this salad ahead of time, it will easily store in the large 2 gallon sized zip-lock bags in the refrigerator.
- Final Step: Add the chilled pasta salad to the serving bowl when you are ready to serve. And, of course, most importantly - Enjoy!
Note!
Expirience has shown me that the noodles soak up most of the oil and vinegar overnight, so it is always a good idea to add a little more before serving the salad on the second day.
Garden Poll
Do you use ingredients from your garden when making pasta salad?
Fresh from the Garden!
Summer Salad Poll
Whats your favorite?
Do you need more Pasta Salad Ideas? - How about 50 of them?
While I love my pasta salad so much that I could eat it every day, my family enjoys a variety. If you love pasta salads then this book will make a wonderful addition to your collection of recipe books. These will keep you busy all summer long! The author includes pasta salads that span the globe. I found the ones using Udon and Soba noodles to be a much needed change to my summer repertoire of salad recipes. I also liked that she includes an amazing variety of interesting ingredients including fruit like peaches pears and mangos, many of which I love, but don't incorporate into many meals other than fruit salad, lol. If you are feeling that your pasta salads all taste pretty much the same I couldn't recomend a better book to take your pasta salads to the next level. Although the author includes 50 recipes, I can easily use her dressing ideas and veggie suggestions to make up my own recipes inspired by her book.
Values are approximate
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 4 oz | |
| Calories | 180 |
| Calories from Fat | 54 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Fat 6 g | 9% |
| Carbohydrates 24 g | 8% |
| Sugar 8 g | |
| Sodium 180 mg | 8% |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
What is your favorite recipe for a hot, sunny day? - Tell us what you think of my recipe, or suggest a new one for us to try!
you betcha !
I have always had hot pasta but a cold pasta salad for a hot summer is such a good idea.
East or West Pasta Salads are the best.
Only with the curly noodles. I can't handle orzo or anything. What's the matter with me?
I do love a pasta salad, or a potato salad, or a green salad...my children enjoyed the pasta salad even more when I used Scooby Doo (corkscrew shaped) pasta.
- Author
@AlexandraHubbard: Curly noodles are my favorites, too. Yhere is nothing wrong with that. :)
Sounds delicious! (And I agree with your husband about broccoli stumps.) Since hot days are here (114 "real feel") I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!
I like pasta salads, but I'm picky on how they're made. I like using Garlic Expressions for the dressing part of it. Mmm. :)
Love pasta salads - especially in the summer!
Really love pasta salads! Love pasta just about every way imaginable:)
pasta salad is one of my favorites, especially in the hot summer months. thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a good salad to try! Thanks.
Really nice site. I'm learning a lot by looking at your lenses. Thanks for the great work. And delicious recipes.
Lokks delicious.!
My favorites. Thanks for sharing it
yummy!
I love pasta salads. My favorite uses tuna too.
I love pasta. Pasta salad sounds really good.
I love pasta salads.. tuna is amazing or just plain macaroni with mayo :) Blessed!
Yes just today I was craving shrimp salad!
It looks very delicious! I like pasta salads very much!
Nice Lens
You have really activated my appetite, so will have to try your pasta recipe and others from the book you suggest.
Too bad I have no brokkoli right here. I would start cooking it right now if I had. Thank for sharing. :-)
I love pasta salad, I like it with some mayonnaise and thousand island sauces.
Pasta salad is great! I'll have to show my mom some of these. Hey If you'd check out my lens about Awesome Easter Decoration Ideas that would be awesome! Thanks
I tried it once, it was one of the greatest things i ever ate!
I think pasta either cold or hot is great but thanks for sharing your recipe. I'll definitely try it. Thanks!
Sounds quite lovely - congrats on LotD, blessed by a SquidAngel!
Pasta adds some valuable carbs to salad and is filling, inexpensive and tasty- sepecially with lots of olive oil!
Yes, especially on warm summer days! This spring day is like summer!
I love the simplicity of this lens - pertinent and interesting info, and I like the tip about using the grape tomatoes that don't require chopping.
Pasta Salad is one of my favorite dishes to make in the summer time. Congrats on LOTD.
Pasta salad recipes are fun and easy to change up and they're easier to mix the recipe than some entrees are.
Great article, you're off to a great article, hope you keep adding more to this and to help cheer you on ... *blessed by a squid angel* to help ya!
I love pasta salads for meals. Now I'm craving for it! lol
Cold pasta salad is great. I like to use cheese tortellini and zucchini, and for the seasoning/dressing on of the Italian dressing packs that you add oil and vinegar too.
I love pasta salad! I just made one this week in fact!
I love pasta hot or cold, but in the summer its cold pasta salads.
Your right on spot.
Congratulations on LotD! W00t! ~ Blessed! :)
Pasta is my weakness!
I really enjoy pasta salad, but don't seem to get around to making it that often. You've given me some new ideas. Thanks!
Congratulations Agalova for that great lens! I also love potato salads!
I am so hungry now! I'm going to have to go home and make some even though its not hot!!!
It's nice to see a brief and to the point lens getting some love, really what else needs to be said about the subject? can have a cook out with out Pasta Salad.
Congratulations on making Lens of the Day! I do love pasta salad
i love combining left over pasta with green salad leaves!
Nice lens, great pictures and a lot of good informations. Thnx for this lens! Njamiiiii! :)
We love pasta salads! My husband loves for me to add cubed mozzarella cheese and pepperoni to ours. Love your idea of using Mrs. Dash in the dressing - fabulous suggestion! Congratulations on your Lens of the Day!
Just finishing one from 2 days ago--got the summer craving and made a huge one. I also like to add marinated artichoke hearts or celery or shredded carrots, just so there will be at least a little something for everyone and they can pick out anything they don't like. One of my recipes has crumbled feta added right before serving--fun for something new. Congrats on LOTD!!!!!
Great recipe.....and simple. I use the whole wheat rotini for mine as well. Perfect summer dish.
I do love pasta salads, and when it gets really warm out I crave cold pasta salads. My family loves a simple tuna, macaroni shell, black olive, dill pickle and white onion pasta salad with mayonnaise dressing. I know that it's basic, but it's beloved!
Love pasta salads. They are great with frozen veggies too. Especially when fresh isn't available.
LOVE potato salads (every kind) ~ Great lens!
Love 'em! Like them best when someone else makes them ;-). I've enjoyed your reminder of Summer. Thanks, d
Great job on the lens. I love cold pasta salads!
Doesn't everybody love pasta salad? My household has an ongoing debate ... is it "Pasta Salad" or "Macaroni Salad" ... anyway, congrats on LOTD!
Congratulations on your LOTD! I love pasta salad and was glad to find a GF pasta that worked ~ I have to give a shout-out to Shaar pasta! Great lens ~ now I'm hungry! B : )
I make several varieties of pasta salad and we love each one. This is a new one to add to the menu.
Honestly, I usually make pasta, never thought of pasta salad, even if I have made pasta with some of the ingredients you mentioned. Thanks for the ideas!
Congrats on your LOTD! I love pasta salad!
love them when they use a vinaigrette but not such a huge fan of the mayonnaise-based ones. :)
Love your lens. Thank you!
I prefer the vinager based also, mayo dressings feel heavy.
Congrats on your LOTD
I love pasta salad, but I don't make it often. I live by myself so if I make it I end up eating it for days.
This is really great. Thanks for sharing.
We love pasta salads, especially with fresh ingredients. Congratulations on LOTD!
Worth trying recipe. Thanks for the share.
@lasertek lm: hello!
What a timely lens. Since the weather has gotten warmer, I've been craving pasta salads. They're light, easy to make and doesn't batter the budget.
I definitely like pasta salads. Terrific lens!
Pasta salads are a great way to get my grandchildren to eat their veggies. We all love the pasta salads.
Love them and thumbs up!
Something cool to eat when it's hot outside ... oh, yes, yes, yes! Very nice lens, and recipe looks tasty.
will try this recipe today, i'll try to respond later
Pasta salad always makes me weak in the knees, I do love it with mayo and or bacon crumbles. I know I'm a bad girl! lol
I'm going to give the summer pasta salad a try though, It sounds so yummy. I think I'll try it with the red onions, or some sweet vadaila if I see it in the store.
Yes, I make it vegetarian, with sprouted beans, and destroy it with crispies.c
I love cold pasta salads during the summer since they are both filling and refreshing on a hot day.
Lovely recipe. Congrats on award and now featured on Blessed by Skiesgreen 2012 and also on Squidoo LOTD Lenses 2. Hugs
sure i do and i love them any time of the day!
I do love pasta salads! Thanks for the new recipe :)
Can't wait to try this recipe. Great lens!
I also have a favorite pasta salad that
s a bit different than this one, but this one also looks good.
Love it in any way :)
Many people won't like this, but I do like mixing up the pasta salad from the box. Not very homemade but I like it. Cook the noodles and mix with mayo.
As a big consumer of carbs, I give this lens a big thumbs up! Haha, great info and sweet layout. My fridge is calling me now :)
Thanks for sharing this recipe...
It's been around 99* here and the salad sounds great. I miss my lovely wife's cooking! Good job on the lens love.
I like a little pasta but not to smother a salad
i haven't tried pasta salads, but this sure looks yummy, especially for summer days
Definitely, ESPECIALLY on hot summer days!
always:) the best
Yes, I do like pasta salads. Your salad recipe looks very good...I'll have to try it. Thanks for the recipe.
Love pasta salads, but try to eat them now and then due to my new eating plan :)
Pasta salads always sound good at a cook our or picnic. Great lens for the summer!
I love pasta salads! Great for summer parties & BBQs!
i love pasta salads :)
Love it!
This is a nice lens, thank you for sharing this recipe. Congratulations on making Popular Pages - Featured Lenses. Terrific Honor!
I want one right now lol. I'm new to squidoo and need some likes check out my lens please.
Pasta Noodles or Shells, it really doesn't matter to me! I like them both and especially during the Summer Months! ;)
of course! they are yummy
Jamie Oliver's pasta salad recipe is my favorite, but this one sounds really good too!
Have you served this at a party yet? Any good comments? I'd love to try this.
- Author
@themeaparty: I made this last week for my daughter's soccer picnic and it went over well, at least with the adults. There were a few kids who didn't like broccoli. My kids love it, though!
You are so right about the noodles soaking up all the oil and vinegar!
We have pasta salad often in the summer, but I can't seem to find the right seasoning for them.
- Author
@lollyj lm: Give the Mrs. Dash a try. The original blend is good, and they have about a dozen other varieties, too.
I love pasta salads. My favorite is macaroni salad ( I use mayonnaise & sour cream in mine) with either shrimp or tuna. In fact, I have a shrimp/mac salad in my fridge right now. I make a big batch and it gives me lunches and/or a dinner all week. It's my favorite summertime dish for hot days.
oh..this recipe is worth trying.. thanks so much!
I need to make my own pasta salad for a change. I typically take a Cesar box salad and then add Italian dressing to that. It tastes great but I bet homemade would taste better.
Pasta salads are great!
I like pasta salads but do not make them very often
Cold pasta salad is perfect for a hot summer day. Now I want to make one...yum!
Looks delicious.
116