Best 3 Creamy Farmers Market Pasta Salad Recipes

**Creamy Farmers Market Pasta Salad: A Refreshing and Flavorful Summer Dish**

As the sun shines brightly and the days get longer, it's time to embrace the bounty of fresh, seasonal produce that summer has to offer. Farmers markets are bursting with an array of colorful fruits, vegetables, and herbs, making it the perfect time to enjoy a light and refreshing pasta salad. The Creamy Farmers Market Pasta Salad recipe is a celebration of summer flavors, featuring a vibrant combination of crisp vegetables, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy homemade dressing. With its vibrant colors, delightful textures, and unbeatable taste, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering or a delightful lunch option for busy weeknights.

**Additional Recipes to Explore:**

1. **Easy Homemade Croutons:** Elevate your pasta salad with homemade croutons, adding a delightful crunch and savory flavor.

2. **5-Minute Creamy Dressing:** This simple and flavorful dressing is made with just a few pantry staples, creating a creamy and tangy base for your salad.

3. **Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs:** Learn the art of boiling eggs to perfection, ensuring they're easy to peel and have a tender, slightly runny yolk.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CREAMY FARMERS MARKET PASTA SALAD

Creamy Farmers Market Pasta Salad image

Make a colorful Farmers Market Pasta Salad packed with rotini pasta, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, green onions and cottage cheese. Toss with ranch dressing in this colorful and easy 15-minute Healthy Living Salad.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories Pasta

Time 15m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 cups rotini pasta, cooked, drained
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup carrot slices
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 green onions, sliced
1 container (16 oz.) BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN 2% Milkfat Low Fat Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup KRAFT Lite Ranch Dressing

Steps:

Combine pasta and vegetables in large bowl.
Add cottage cheese and dressing; mix lightly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190, Fat 4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Sodium 360 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 9 g

FARMERS' MARKET PASTA SALAD

Farmers' Market Pasta Salad image

Yield 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

8 ounces farfalle pasta
2 cups sliced summer squash
1 cup chopped green beans
1 cup sliced mini bell pepper
2 cups halved grape or cherry tomatoes
1½ cups mozzarella pearls
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced shallot
1 cup fresh parsley
1 cup fresh basil
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1½ teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons roasted salted sunflower seeds
Garnish: fresh basil, fresh parsley

Steps:

In a large stockpot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta, and cook for 10 minutes. Add squash, green beans, and bell pepper; cook for 2 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in tomatoes and mozzarella.
In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and shallot. Let stand for 10 minutes.
In the work bowl of a food processor, place parsley, basil, and oil; pulse until well blended. Pour parsley mixture over pasta mixture. Stir in shallot mixture, sugar, zest, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds. Garnish with basil and parsley, if desired.

CREAMY PARMESAN PASTA SALAD

Creamy Parmesan Pasta Salad image

Farmers' market basil and produce mixed with bow-ties and Parmesan make the perfect pasta salad to serve at your next backyard get-together.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Side Dish

Time 25m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups uncooked farfalle (bow-tie) pasta, (9 ounces)
2 cups snow (Chinese) pea pods, strings removed (12 ounces)
2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (2 cups)
2 medium carrots (1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
1 cup light creamy Caesar dressing
2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, adding pea pods for last minute of cooking. Rinse with cold water; drain.
Meanwhile, mix bell peppers, carrots, basil and cheese in very large (4-quart) bowl. Mix dressing and milk in small bowl with wire whisk. Add dressing mixture, pasta and pea pods to bell pepper mixture; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 175, Carbohydrate 18 g, Cholesterol 6 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 250 mg

Tips:

Select Fresh Produce: Choose the freshest vegetables and herbs from your local farmers' market for the best flavor and texture.
Prepare Ingredients in Advance: Cut and cook the vegetables, pasta, and bacon ahead of time to save time during assembly.
Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but aim for an al dente texture so that it holds its shape well in the salad.
Use a Creamy Dressing: The creamy dressing is what makes this salad so special. Use a combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and Greek yogurt for a rich and tangy flavor.
Add Bacon for Flavor: Crispy bacon adds a smoky and savory flavor to the salad. Cook the bacon until it's crispy, then crumble it before adding it to the salad.
Chill Before Serving: Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken.

Conclusion:

This creamy farmers' market pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that's perfect for summer gatherings. With its vibrant colors and medley of fresh vegetables, it's a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. The creamy dressing adds a rich and tangy flavor that complements the sweet and savory ingredients perfectly. Whether you're serving it as a main course or a side dish, this salad is sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients from your local farmers' market and give this recipe a try!