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Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad

Fresh Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad to Savor All Season

A vibrant Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad bursting with fresh, crunchy veggies, perfect for hot days and gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Farfalle pasta Alternatively, rotini or campanelle can be used.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 medium Yellow squash Zucchini can be a lovely alternative.
  • 1 medium Cucumber Optional; can be swapped with bell peppers.
  • 1 medium Red bell pepper Green bell peppers can be used instead.
  • 1 cup Broccoli Can substitute with asparagus or green beans.
  • 1 cup Cauliflower Additional broccoli or a mix of veggies can be used.
  • 1/2 medium Red onion Green onions are a milder substitute.
  • 1/2 cup Black olives Green olives can be used in their place or omitted.
  • 1/2 cup Stuffed green olives
For the Dressing
  • 1 packet Zesty Italian dressing mix Homemade Italian vinaigrette works beautifully too.
  • 1/4 cup Red wine vinegar White wine vinegar or lemon juice can be great substitutes.
  • 1/2 cup Olive oil Using a light oil is acceptable, but olive oil enhances flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar Adjust based on taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Sprinkle to taste.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cutting board
  • knife
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package directions for slightly over al dente. Drain and rinse under cool running water, then set aside to cool completely.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, wash and prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the red onion and chop the yellow squash, cucumber, red bell pepper, broccoli, and cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the zesty Italian dressing mix, red wine vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and salt. Whisk until well blended and smooth.
  4. Add the cooled farfalle pasta and chopped vegetables into the bowl with the dressing. Gently stir the mixture until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.
  6. Right before serving, stir in the black olives and stuffed green olives if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 300mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Best served cold. Can be made a day in advance for enhanced flavors.

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