Best 5 Monicas Penne Pasta Salad Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable flavors of Monica's Penne Pasta Salad, a refreshing and vibrant dish that combines the delightful taste of pasta with a medley of colorful vegetables and a zesty dressing. This salad is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring tender penne pasta tossed with crisp bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and aromatic red onions. The addition of tangy olives and a sprinkle of flavorful feta cheese adds a delightful touch of savoriness and complexity. Drizzled with a vibrant dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and herbs, this pasta salad offers a delightful balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Monica's Penne Pasta Salad is a versatile dish, perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a light and refreshing meal on a warm day. With its vibrant colors and irresistible taste, it's sure to be a hit with family and friends.

The article features three variations of the classic Monica's Penne Pasta Salad: a traditional version, a vegetarian version, and a vegan version. The traditional recipe includes the classic combination of penne pasta, vegetables, olives, and feta cheese, while the vegetarian version substitutes the feta cheese with goat cheese for a tangy twist. The vegan version takes it a step further, replacing the dairy elements with plant-based alternatives such as vegan feta cheese and a dairy-free dressing, making it a delightful option for those with dietary restrictions or those following a vegan lifestyle. With these variations, Monica's Penne Pasta Salad caters to a wide range of preferences, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this flavorful and versatile dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PENNE PASTA SALAD



Penne Pasta Salad image

A colorful pasta salad with bell peppers and a touch of dill.

Provided by Deanna

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 8

16 ounces penne pasta
1 cup creamy salad dressing, e.g. Miracle Whip ™
½ cup Dijon-style prepared mustard
1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
1 red onion, julienned
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 orange bell pepper, julienned

Steps:

  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the salad dressing, mustard, cheese and dill.
  • Add pasta, red onion and bell peppers. Toss well; season with salt and pepper. Chill before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 269.3 calories, Carbohydrate 35 g, Cholesterol 17.7 mg, Fat 9.8 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 611.1 mg, Sugar 5 g

MONICA'S PENNE PASTA SALAD



Monica's Penne Pasta Salad image

I created this pasta salad while I was a student at Penn State University. Inexpensive, healthy, delicious and is just as tasty as a leftover. You may add sliced chicken or turkey breast for a one dish meal!!

Provided by Monica in PA

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 25m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package whole wheat penne
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 red onion, diced
6 -8 roma tomatoes, diced
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and black pepper
1/2 cup locatelli romano cheese or 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar (less or more depending or your taste)
2 cups cooked sliced chicken or 2 cups turkey breast (optional)

Steps:

  • Boil pasta and cook till al dente.
  • Drain and toss with a small amount of olive oil.
  • Let cool slightly.
  • Add vegetables, oil, vinegar, and toss with cooked pasta.
  • Add romano cheese.
  • salt/pepper to taste.
  • Add cooked chicken/turkey breast (optional).
  • Refridgerate for at least 15-30 minutes.
  • You may need to add more oil or vinegar depending on how moist you desire the salad to be.
  • You may also replace the balsamic vinegar with any vinegar you prefer.

PENNE PASTA SALAD WITH SPINACH & TOMATOES



Penne Pasta Salad With Spinach & Tomatoes image

A tasty pasta salad brought to life with a delicious combination of olive oil, white wine vinegar, rosemary, thyme, garlic, oregano and basil, tossed with fresh spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and a sprinkling of Parmesan.

Provided by English_Rose

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
9 ounces penne pasta, cooked and drained
2 ounces spinach leaves
9 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
4 ounces light mozzarella cheese, torn
2 teaspoons parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Mix the oil, vinegar, rosemary, thyme, garlic granules, oregano, basil and salt together in a large bowl. Add the cooked pasta and spinach, toss to coat well.
  • Add the tomatoes and cheeses and mix well.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.

PENNE, TOMATO, AND MOZZARELLA SALAD



Penne, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad image

Garden fresh basil and summer sweet cherry tomatoes make this pasta salad a warm season favorite. Takes only a few minutes to put together, a quick summertime meal.

Provided by MARBALET

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Tomato Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (12 ounce) package penne pasta
¼ cup olive oil
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
5 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 ounces fresh basil
12 large black olives, halved

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water as directed on package, until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a small saucepan. Add green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 or 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Add pasta, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat to warm through. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Coarsely tear basil leaves in halves or thirds; add to pasta with olives, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 404.8 calories, Carbohydrate 47.5 g, Cholesterol 21 mg, Fat 17.2 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 17.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 337.2 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

PENNE PASTA SALAD



Penne Pasta Salad image

I came up with this recipe one day while experimenting in my kitchen. This salad makes a great side dish with just about any kind of meat.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 bottle (8 ounces) Italian salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, green pepper, onions and olives. Stir in pasta. Combine remaining ingredients; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Fat 12g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 608mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 8g protein.

Tips:

  • To ensure the penne is cooked perfectly al dente, follow the instructions on the package for the exact cooking time.
  • Use high-quality, flavorful ingredients like fresh vegetables, herbs, and cheeses to elevate the salad.
  • For a creamier dressing, add a dollop of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
  • If you prefer a tangy dressing, add a squeeze of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.
  • To make the salad ahead of time, simply cook the penne and vegetables and let them cool completely before assembling the salad. Store the dressing separately and toss everything together just before serving.

Conclusion:

Monica's Penne Pasta Salad is a versatile and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish. With its combination of tender penne, crisp vegetables, and creamy dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or packing a lunch for work, this easy-to-make salad is a perfect choice for any occasion.

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