Best 3 Summer Pasta Salad Ii Recipes

**A Refreshing Medley of Summer Flavors: A Journey Through Alice's Summer Pasta Salad Delights**

As the sun casts its golden rays upon the horizon, signaling the arrival of the balmy summer season, our culinary senses crave a symphony of refreshing and vibrant flavors. Transport yourself to a realm of culinary bliss with Alice's Summer Pasta Salad extravaganza, a delightful array of recipes that capture the essence of summer's bounty. Embark on a journey through a medley of tantalizing tastes, where each recipe is a masterpiece, carefully crafted to tantalize your palate and evoke memories of sun-kissed days and balmy evenings. From the classic Italian Panzanella Salad, bursting with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and aromatic basil, to the vibrant Greek Orzo Salad, a symphony of Mediterranean flavors featuring tangy feta cheese and briny olives, this collection offers a delightful odyssey for every taste preference. Indulge in the hearty and flavorful Pesto Tortellini Salad, where tender tortellini bathes in a creamy pesto sauce, or relish the simplicity of the refreshing Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad, a symphony of colorful vegetables tossed in a light and tangy dressing. This culinary journey culminates in the grand finale, the unforgettable Watermelon and Feta Pasta Salad, where sweet watermelon meets salty feta cheese in a harmonious dance of flavors, sure to leave you craving for more.

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

SUMMER PASTA SALAD

Summer Pasta Salad image

This classic pasta salad, packed with a bounty of summer vegetables and fresh herbs, is the perfect thing to make after a trip to the farmers' market. Look for the tastiest produce at the peak of its season, like crisp radishes and cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and sweet raw corn. We recommend allowing the pasta salad to marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound gemelli or other twisted pasta, such as cavatappi
1 cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
2 pints mini heirloom cherry tomatoes or other cherry tomatoes, halved
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
2 cups radishes, thinly sliced
2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 4 about ears)
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
1/3 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped

Steps:

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold running water to cool the pasta and stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside.
Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, 2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add the pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, radishes, corn, shallot, parsley and dill. Toss to combine and allow to marinate at room temperature for least 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

SUMMER PASTA SALAD II

Summer Pasta Salad II image

This is the pasta salad that my mom makes. It's even better the day after.

Provided by MENTHA

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 pound rotini/corkscrew pasta
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 (6 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh broccoli
½ pound salami, cut into strips
½ pound pepperoni, each piece cut into 4
½ pound mozzarella cheese, cut into strips
2 cups Italian-style salad dressing, divided
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 tomato, quartered

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
In a bowl combine cooked pasta, red pepper, zucchini, onion, olives, artichoke hearts, broccoli, salami, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. Toss until well mixed. Pour on one cup of the dressing and mix well. Cool in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
When ready to eat, toss with remaining one cup of dressing, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper and garlic. Garnish with tomato wedges

Nutrition Facts : Calories 504.7 calories, Carbohydrate 24.9 g, Cholesterol 62.8 mg, Fat 36.3 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 20.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.8 g, Sodium 1900.5 mg, Sugar 5.5 g

PASTA SALAD WITH SUMMER TOMATOES, BASIL AND OLIVE OIL

Pasta Salad With Summer Tomatoes, Basil and Olive Oil image

This summery dish walks the line between tangy, juicy tomato salad and hearty pasta salad. To make it, ripe tomatoes are marinated with capers, garlic, basil and lots of good olive oil until they almost fall apart, creating a wonderfully soupy dressing for the pasta. Then the pasta is added while still hot to mix; as it cools, it absorbs all the bright flavors. If you can, choose heirloom tomatoes in an array of hues, and serve this in a glass bowl to show it off. Cubes of fresh mozzarella, or bocconcini, make for creamy addition. Add them just before serving, so the heat of the pasta doesn't melt the cheese.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories pastas, salads and dressings, side dish

Time 25m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 pounds very ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup drained capers or sliced olives
3 garlic cloves, finely grated or mashed to a paste
Kosher salt, as needed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 large basil sprig, plus 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves
3 oil-packed anchovy fillets, minced (optional)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 pound short pasta, such as campanelle, fusilli or farfalle

Steps:

In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, capers, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, red-pepper flakes, the whole basil sprig and anchovies if using. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in 1/2 cup oil. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. The tomatoes should be aggressively seasoned. Let tomatoes marinate for at least 1 hour and preferably 2 to 3.
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just al dente, usually a minute less than the package instructions. Drain well. Add to bowl with tomatoes while still warm and toss well. Let pasta cool, soaking up the dressing. Let pasta sit at room temperature for at least another hour and up to 6 hours before serving. Or chill for up to 24 hours; bring to room temperature before serving.
Just before serving, gently fold in torn basil leaves. Top with more olive oil and cracked black pepper before serving.

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your pasta salad shine. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender zucchini.
Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for pasta salad. It should be slightly firm to the bite.
Let the pasta cool completely before adding the other ingredients. This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Use a light dressing. A heavy dressing will weigh down the salad and make it less refreshing.
Add some fresh herbs. Fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or mint, will add a pop of flavor to your pasta salad.
Don't be afraid to experiment. There are endless possibilities when it comes to pasta salad. Feel free to add your favorite ingredients and create a salad that's uniquely yours.

Conclusion:

Summer pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing meal that's perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a light and flavorful meal, give summer pasta salad a try.