Best 7 Fruity Pasta Salad With Herbs Recipes

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Indulge in a refreshing and vibrant Fruity Pasta Salad with Herbs, a delightful dish that bursts with flavors and textures. This salad is a perfect blend of sweet fruits, savory pasta, and aromatic herbs, creating a symphony of tastes. The combination of juicy watermelon, sweet pineapple, tangy oranges, and crisp apples provides a refreshing contrast to the tender cooked pasta. Infused with a zesty lemon-herb dressing, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors, making it an ideal side dish for summer gatherings, potlucks, or light lunches.

In addition to the main recipe, this article also features a variation using a creamy avocado dressing, adding a rich and velvety texture to the salad. For those who prefer a gluten-free option, a recipe for Quinoa Pasta Salad with Fruits and Herbs is included, offering a healthier alternative with the same vibrant flavors. Lastly, a refreshing Watermelon and Feta Salad with Mint is presented, combining sweet watermelon, salty feta cheese, and aromatic mint for a simple yet satisfying dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FRESH HERB PASTA SALAD



Fresh Herb Pasta Salad image

Provided by Sandra Lee

Categories     side-dish

Time 21m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (8-ounce) package haricots verts (recommended: Earth Exotics)
1 (12-ounce) box tri-color rotini pasta
1 (12-ounce) jar roasted yellow peppers, cut into small strips
1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, cut into small strips
1/2 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs such as mint, basil, tarragon and marjoram
3/4 cup poppy seed salad dressing (recommended: Knott's)

Steps:

  • Edible flowers, for garnish
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add haricots verts and cook until crisp tender, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the haricots verts to a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking.
  • Return the pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and let cool.
  • In a large serving bowl, combine all ingredients, except edible flowers. Toss until ingredients are thoroughly coated with dressing.
  • Garnish with edible flowers and serve cold or at room temperature.

FRUITY PASTA SALAD



Fruity Pasta Salad image

Open up salad pasta-bilities! Add fruit and a citrus-yogurt dressing.

Provided by Pillsbury Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 oz. (1 cup) uncooked rotini (spiral pasta)
1 cup quartered fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
2 kiwi fruit, peeled, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted if desired
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons honey

Steps:

  • Cook rotini to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
  • In large bowl, combine cooked rotini and all remaining salad ingredients; mix gently.
  • In small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients; blend well. Pour dressing over salad; toss gently to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 100, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, ServingSize 1/2 Cup, Sodium 10 mg, Sugar 12 g

PASTA FRUIT SALAD



Pasta Fruit Salad image

When I serve this unusual but delicious dish at a buffet dinner or picnic, it always draws favorable comments. Give it a try! -Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained
1 large navel orange, peeled, sectioned and halved
1 cup halved red grapes
1 cup halved green grapes
1 medium apple, chopped
1 large firm banana, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the fruit. Combine yogurt and orange juice concentrate; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and chill for several hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 192 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 20mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ACINI DI PEPE SALAD



Acini di Pepe Salad image

Acini di pepe is the Italian word for peppercorns. Any tiny round-shaped pasta works well in this chilled fruit salad. Great in the summer, but my family asks for it every holiday. Every time I bring this to a party I get requests for the recipe.

Provided by CORTAB0408

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Fruit Pasta Salad Recipes

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup acini di pepe pasta
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved
1 (15 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained with liquid reserved
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
7 ounces miniature marshmallows
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain.
  • In medium saucepan, combine reserved liquids from pineapple and oranges (equals about 1 1/2 cups), sugar, eggs, salt and flour. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. When mixture becomes thick, add cooked pasta and refrigerate overnight.
  • The next day, add pineapple and oranges, whipped topping and marshmallows to taste. Mix together and top with cherries if desired. Keep chilled until served.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 calories, Carbohydrate 98.7 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 194.9 mg, Sugar 61.3 g

HERBED PASTA SALAD



Herbed Pasta Salad image

This simple pasta salad gets loads of flavor from garlic-infused olive oil and fresh herbs.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds orecchiette, or other short pasta
1/3 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Steps:

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water; leave in colander and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat oil and garlic over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant and sizzling, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes.
  • Pour garlic oil through a sieve into a large bowl; discard garlic. Add pasta and herbs to oil. Season generously with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, chilled or at room temperature.

PASTA WITH MARINATED TOMATOES AND SUMMER HERBS



Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Summer Herbs image

The easiest summer dinner known to man, pasta con salsa crudo, is a one-bowl, infinitely variable riot of seasonal flavors. It can be made with fancy Italian tuna and local heirloom tomatoes for foodies, or with supermarket mozzarella and tomatoes for children, or with excellent olives and extra pine nuts for vegetarians. It puts you in the kitchen for about a half-hour at the tail end of lunchtime. After that, all there is to do is cook the pasta, and serve with or without crusty bread, boiled corn, sliced tomatoes, or a nice, simple green salad.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     dinner, quick, pastas, appetizer, main course

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

About 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, halved or quartered if small, diced if large
Salt
2 cans olive oil-packed tuna or 1 pound mozzarella cheese, diced (optional)
2/3 cup pitted oil-cured black olives, halved, or 1/2 cup pitted green olives, chopped, or 3 tablespoons capers (optional)
2/3 cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, mint, chives, cilantro, scallion tops, or a combination), more for garnish
Freshly grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)
About 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds short pasta, like fusilli, farfalle or penne
Hot red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Steps:

  • Up to 4 hours before serving, put tomatoes in a large bowl and sprinkle all over with salt. Set aside for 30 minutes, then drain off liquid.
  • Add tuna and its oil, olives or capers, if using. Add herbs and zest. Add olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and stir gently, flaking tuna into pieces. Cover and set aside at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Cook pasta in plenty of boiling salted water. Drain very well. Combine tomatoes and pasta well, then taste and add more oil, salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired. Sprinkle with pine nuts, if using, and chopped herbs. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 617, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 88 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 510 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

MACARONI SALAD WITH LEMON AND HERBS



Macaroni Salad With Lemon and Herbs image

Consider this a macaroni salad for the 21st century: Like the original, it's a welcome accompaniment to picnic fare and pairs with virtually anything off the grill. But this version also happens to be bright, acidic and herbaceous. The traditional elements have been preserved - elbow macaroni, mayonnaise and a pinch of sugar are mandatory - but they've been bolstered by bright flavors: lemon zest, tangy capers and pickles, crunchy celery and tons of fresh herbs. It goes lighter on mayonnaise than the original, swapping in tangy buttermilk for a dressing that is more glossy than gloopy. It can be served straight from the fridge or at room temperature. A splash of water stirred in restores its silky sheen.

Provided by Alexa Weibel

Categories     pastas, salads and dressings, appetizer, side dish

Time 25m

Yield 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2/3 cup minced bread-and-butter pickles
2 large stalks celery, peeled and finely chopped
4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk (see Tip)
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus small sprigs for garnish
1/4 cup drained jarred capers, chopped, plus 3 tablespoons caper brine
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest and 4 teaspoons juice (from 1 large lemon)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
16 ounces elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high.
  • While the water comes to a boil, prepare your dressing: In a large bowl, stir together pickles, celery, scallions, mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, dill, capers and brine, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and sugar. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  • Cook the macaroni in the boiling water until al dente, about 6 minutes; drain well and let cool for a few minutes.
  • Once cooled, toss macaroni with dressing, season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate until chilled. Top with extra scallions, parsley and dill to garnish just before serving.

Tips for Making Fruity Pasta Salad with Herbs

  • Choose the right pasta. Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells work best for this salad. They hold the dressing and toppings well without getting too soggy.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold its shape well in the salad.
  • Use fresh, ripe fruit. The fresher the fruit, the better the salad will taste. Look for fruit that is brightly colored and free of blemishes.
  • Chop the fruit into small pieces. This will help it to evenly distribute throughout the salad and make it easier to eat.
  • Use a light, flavorful dressing. A vinaigrette or a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing is a good choice for this salad. Avoid using heavy dressings like mayonnaise or ranch dressing, as they will weigh down the salad.
  • Add some herbs. Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or mint add a bright, refreshing flavor to the salad. You can also use dried herbs, but be sure to use them sparingly.
  • Chill the salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion

Fruity pasta salad with herbs is a refreshing and flavorful side dish or main course that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious fruity pasta salad that will be enjoyed by everyone.

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