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https://mollyshomeguide.com/quick-veggie-pasta-salad-65216/

Quick Veggie Pasta Salad for Effortless Summer Freshness

Enjoy this Quick Veggie Pasta Salad that celebrates summer with vibrant flavors and fresh vegetables.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle) or swap with rotini, penne, or whole wheat pasta.
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Olive Oil use extra virgin for enhanced flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar balsamic or apple cider vinegar are good substitutes.
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard yellow mustard can be used as a substitute.
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano fresh oregano can be used for a brighter taste.
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic fresh garlic is recommended.
  • Salt to taste.
  • Pepper to taste.
For the Veggies
  • 1 cup Tomatoes diced.
  • 1 cup Squash sliced.
  • 1 cup Zucchini sliced.
  • 1 cup Broccoli chopped into bite-sized pieces.
  • 1/2 cup Roasted Red Peppers sliced.
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion sliced.
  • Parsley to taste, fresh.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Medium bowl
  • Colander
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until all ingredients are well blended and the vinaigrette is creamy. Allow this dressing to sit for at least 5 minutes for the flavors to meld beautifully.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add 8 ounces of bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 7-10 minutes, until it's al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once done, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process.
  3. While the pasta cooks, chop the vegetables. Dice 1 cup of tomatoes, slice 1 cup of squash and zucchini, and chop 1 cup of broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Additionally, slice ½ cup of roasted red peppers and ¼ cup of red onion. Place all the vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Once the pasta has cooled slightly, add it to the bowl with the assorted chopped vegetables. Gently toss everything together, allowing the pasta to mix with the fresh veggies.
  5. Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, tossing gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend even more.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 8gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 200mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2000IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad is best enjoyed fresh and isn't recommended for freezing. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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