Craving a refreshing and flavorful pasta salad that's perfect for summer gatherings or quick weekday meals? Look no further! This lite tri-color pasta salad is a delightful combination of colorful pasta, crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing that will tantalize your taste buds. With variations ranging from a classic vinaigrette dressing to a creamy ranch version, this versatile salad offers something for everyone. Whether you're a vegetarian looking for a hearty meatless option or a pasta enthusiast seeking a new twist on a classic dish, this lite tri-color pasta salad is sure to become a favorite. Its vibrant colors and delicious flavors make it a feast for the eyes and a delight to the palate. So gather your ingredients, grab your favorite pasta, and let's embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more!
Let's cook with our recipes!
CLASSIC PASTA SALAD (FOR A CROWD)
This classic pasta salad is made with a tri-color rotini, filled with vegetables and cheeses, and coated in a scratch-made vinaigrette. The perfect recipe to feed a crowd.
Provided by Heather
Categories Side Dish
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is room temperature. Place pasta in a large bowl.
- Add cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives to the bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, add olive oil, vinegar, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad, then toss to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Pasta salad will keep for 3-4 days, refrigerated in a sealed container. Pasta WILL continue to soak up the dressing the longer it sits, so it may need a splash of olive oil and vinegar if it has been sitting for several hours.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.75 cup, Calories 283 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 13 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 32 mg, Sodium 732 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g
COLORFUL SPIRAL PASTA SALAD
Tackle gatherings with a bright pasta salad. This tricolor toss-up with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. -Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 14 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water., Transfer to a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, olives, salt and pepper. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Chill until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 513mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
TRI COLOR ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
Easy recipe for the best Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad. This meal is full of fresh vegetables and only takes 20 minutes to put together from start to finish.
Provided by Pamela
Categories Main Course Side Dish
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Prepare your pasta as directed on box. Drain and place pasta in a big serving bowl.
- Add salad dressing, celery, tomatoes, olives, basil and oregano. Stir to fully combine. Add mozzarella cheese on top and mix again.
- Cover bowl with lid or plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill (at least an hour, can be overnight).
- Remove from refrigerator and stir to freshen up. If salad looks a little dry (especially if you let it sit overnight), add a tablespoon (or 2) of salad dressing and stir. Serve and enjoy!
TRICOLORE PASTA SALAD
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the dressing: Whisk together the vinegar, oil and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
- For the salad: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, about 9 minutes. Drain well and let cool slightly until just warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.
- Add the pasta to the dressing and toss well to coat. Allow to cool to room temperature in the dressing, tossing occasionally. Add the arugula, basil, tomatoes, peppers, cheese and salt and toss well to combine and coat everything in the dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
TRICOLOR PASTA SALAD
To accompany the sandwiches, serve Tricolor Pasta Salad from Lorraine Darocha of Berkshire, Massachusetts. Pretty pasta spirals and convenient frozen veggies are tossed with a light dressing to make this colorful medley. "For vegetarians, you can add protein-rich chickpeas or beans to make it a main dish," Lorraine recommends.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 6-8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, place vegetables in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave at 50% power for 5-1/2 to 6-1/2 minutes or until thawed; drain. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water. In a bowl, combine the pasta, vegetables and olives. , Combine salad dressing and garlic salt if desired; pour over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 345 calories, Fat 13g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 599mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
LITE TRI-COLOR PASTA SALAD
Using tasty bottled dressing makes this pasta salad come together in a cinch. Diced red pepper and corn are slightly sweet and add a crunchy texture. It's a simple and colorful pasta salad. Enjoy alongside a sandwich, a burger or add your favorite protein for a light meal.
Provided by Sue Adame
Categories Pasta Sides
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Cook pasta according to package direction until aldente. (8 - 9 minutes)
- 2. Add the frozen corn to the cooking pasta during the last 3 minutes.
- 3. Drain and rinse pasta/corn with cold water. Transfer to bowl. Add diced red peppers, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
- 4. Add Ken's Steak House Lite Italian dressing and mix well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled.
- 5. Stir before serving. Adding a little more dressing if desired.
TRI-COLOR PASTA SALAD
This is a quick and tasty pasta salad that all of my friends beg me to make whenever there is a party! It is always a crowd pleaser!
Provided by MEEHSKABOB
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 4
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.
- Toss cooled pasta with cheese, broccoli and Italian-style dressing to taste. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 381.2 calories, Carbohydrate 48.9 g, Cholesterol 17.8 mg, Fat 15.7 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 779.7 mg, Sugar 5 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.
- Reserve some of the pasta cooking water to add to the dressing, if needed.
- Chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish the pasta salad with fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or chives, before serving.
Conclusion:
This lite tri-color pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its colorful appearance and delicious taste, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck.
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