Best 8 Garden Fresh Pasta Salad Recipes

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Are you searching for a refreshing and flavorful dish that's perfect for summer gatherings? Look no further than this Garden-Fresh Pasta Salad, a delightful combination of colorful vegetables, tender pasta, and a tangy dressing. This vibrant salad showcases the best of fresh garden produce, with crisp bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and aromatic basil adding texture and flavor in every bite. Tossed in a zesty dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, this pasta salad is a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're hosting a barbecue, potluck, or simply looking for a light and satisfying meal, this Garden-Fresh Pasta Salad is sure to be a hit. With its vibrant colors and delicious taste, it's a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

The recipe collection also includes a variation using spinach pesto dressing, offering a vibrant green hue and a nutty, earthy flavor. For those who prefer a creamy touch, the creamy Caesar dressing adds a rich and tangy dimension to the salad. Additionally, there's a vegan version of the pasta salad, catering to those with dietary restrictions or those looking for plant-based options. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, ingredient lists, and cooking tips to ensure success in creating these delicious pasta salads.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SUMMER GARDEN PASTA



Summer Garden Pasta image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 4h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
Good olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
18 large basil leaves, julienned, plus extra for serving
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Steps:

  • Combine the cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, basil leaves, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature for about 4 hours.
  • Just before you're ready to serve, bring a large pot of water with a splash of olive oil and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente according to the directions on the package (be careful - it only takes 2 to 3 minutes!). Drain the pasta well and add to the bowl with the cherry tomatoes. Add the cheese and some extra fresh basil leaves and toss well. Serve in big bowls with extra cheese on each serving.

GARDEN PASTA SALAD



Garden Pasta Salad image

This is the perfect name for this pasta salad because with all the fresh veggies it literally tastes like summer. There are so many textures and flavors going on. Ham adds a little heartiness while peas add a pop of sweetness. The two types of cheese pair perfectly with the light and tangy Italian dressing. If you're making this...

Provided by Laura Yoder

Categories     Pasta Salads

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 c frozen peas, thawed
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
2 green onions, sliced thin
1 c sliced celery
2 medium tomatoes, chopped and seeded
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 can(s) black olives, drained (3.8 oz)
16 oz corkscrew pasta, cooked and drained
1 c diced smoked ham
1 bottle Italian dressing (16 oz)
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 - head iceberg lettuce, torn into small pieces

Steps:

  • 1. Cook and drain pasta. Add it to a large mixing bowl.
  • 2. Toss in peas, onions, green onions, and celery.
  • 3. Toss in green and red bell peppers, tomatoes, and black olives.
  • 4. Toss in ham.
  • 5. Toss in cheddar cheese.
  • 6. Toss in lettuce.
  • 7. Toss to coat mixture with the Italian dressing.
  • 8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

GARDEN PASTA SALAD



Garden Pasta Salad image

This salad includes not only garden vegetables but pasta too. It is a great side dish to any meal.-Bernard Bellin, Franklin, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 ounces uncooked spiral or cartwheel pasta
3 cups assorted chopped fresh or frozen vegetables
1 bottle (16 ounces) zesty Italian salad dressing, divided
1 cup cubed cooked chicken, turkey or ham
1 cup cubed cheddar, mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
Minced fresh parsley or basil, optional

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain but do not rinse. Return pasta to the pan; add vegetables and toss. Cover for 3-5 minutes. Vegetables will lightly steam in pasta. , Place pasta in a large salad bowl. Top with three-fourths of the dressing and lightly toss. Chill several hours or overnight. , If pasta is dry, add remaining dressing along with meat, cheese, olives, and parsley or basil if desired. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts :

GARDEN PASTA SALAD



Garden Pasta Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked tri-color spiral pasta
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 (16-ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
  • Mix carrots, celery, peppers, tomatoes, and green onion together in large bowl. Add the cooled pasta and mix together. Pour the dressing over mixture, add the Parmesan and mix well.
  • Chill before serving.

GARDEN PASTA SALAD



Garden Pasta Salad image

A zesty pasta recipe, with lots of crunchy vegetables.

Provided by L. Gale

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked tri-color spiral pasta
½ cup thinly sliced carrots
2 stalks celery, chopped
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
½ cup cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
2 large tomatoes, diced
¼ cup chopped onion
2 (16 ounce) bottles Italian-style salad dressing
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
  • Mix chopped carrots, celery, cucumber, green pepper, tomatoes, and onion together in large bowl.
  • Combine cooled pasta and vegetables together in large bowl. Pour Italian dressing over mixture, add Parmesan cheese and mix well.
  • Chill for one hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 449.5 calories, Carbohydrate 45.1 g, Cholesterol 3.5 mg, Fat 27.4 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 1539.7 mg, Sugar 10.6 g

GARDEN VEGGIE PASTA SALAD



Garden Veggie Pasta Salad image

This recipe pleasantly proves that making pasta salad doesn't have to be a time-consuming task, thanks to the head start from bottled salad dressing.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 celery rib, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, tomatoes, green pepper, celery and onions. In a small bowl, whisk the salad dressing, mayonnaise and pepper. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 259 calories, Fat 15g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 543mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

GARDEN VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD



Garden Vegetable Pasta Salad image

My family has been fixing grilled mixed vegetables as a side dish for a long time. To make them more substantial, I added pasta. Then, to give the salad a Mediterranean flair, I tossed in some olives and feta cheese. -Tina Repak Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 50m

Yield 26 servings (3/4 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 pound fusilli or pasta of your choice
2 medium eggplant
2 medium zucchini
2 medium yellow summer squash
1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut in half and seeds removed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
PARMESAN VINAIGRETTE:
3/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl and set aside., Meanwhile, cut the eggplant, zucchini and summer squash lengthwise into 3/4-in.-thick slices. Brush the eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, red onion and red pepper with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill vegetables, covered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until crisp-tender. When cool enough to handle, cut into cubes., Add the tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, parsley and grilled vegetables to the pasta. In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 185 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 262mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

GARDEN FRESH PASTA SALAD



Garden Fresh Pasta Salad image

This is one of the best tasting salads, I hope that you will enjoy it. Pasta Salads absorb dressing when stored in the refrigerator. A trick to help the salad moist and creamy is to stir some of the reserved pasta cooking water into the chilled salad just before serving. For added flavor, sprinkle salad with bacon bits just before serving.

Provided by Chef mariajane

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 20m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 cups farfalle pasta, uncooked
2 cups broccoli florets
1 red onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 (250 ml) bottle sun-dried tomatoes, and oregano dressing
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time. Drain, saving 1 cup of the pasta water, rinse pasta and broccoli under cold water. Drain well; place in large bowl.
  • Add onions, peppers and tomatoes; mix lightly; add dressing; toss to coat. Cover.
  • Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Stir gently just before serving; sprinkle with cheese.
  • To keep the salad moist, stir some of the reserve pasta cooking water into the chilled salad just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 205.7, Fat 1.8, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 2.8, Sodium 127.5, Carbohydrate 39.1, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 3.3, Protein 8.3

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions.
  • Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking together.
  • Add the dressing to the pasta while it is still warm so that it can absorb the flavors.
  • Chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Garnish the pasta salad with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Conclusion:

The garden-fresh pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer party, picnic, or potluck. It is easy to make and can be adapted to your own personal preferences. With its vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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