Best 7 Tangy Balsamic Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Tangy Balsamic Pasta Salad: A Delightful Medley of Freshness and Flavor**

Indulge in a culinary journey with our tangy balsamic pasta salad, a symphony of flavors that dances on your palate. This vibrant salad showcases a delightful fusion of textures, colors, and tastes, making it an ideal side dish or light meal. Explore a trio of delectable recipes, each featuring a unique twist on the classic pasta salad. From the classic Italian dressing to a creamy avocado dressing and a refreshing lemon-herb dressing, these recipes cater to diverse culinary preferences. Get ready to impress your taste buds with this tantalizing and versatile dish!

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

QUICK AND EASY PASTA SALAD



Quick and Easy Pasta Salad image

This easy pasta salad is flexible based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen or the season. Start with a hearty pasta shape that has nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing like rotini or penne. Then toss with our simple dressing and lots of colorful vegetables. We also love adding parmesan cheese, which melts into the dressing as well as a handful of fresh mozzarella balls. For more suggestions for what to add, read through our recommendations in the article above.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Side Dish, Salad

Time 20m

Yield Makes about 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound dried pasta like fusilli, penne, rotini or farfalle (bow tie)
1 cup sliced bell pepper (1 medium)
1 cup thinly sliced zucchini (1/2 medium)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions (5 to 6)
1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers, optional
1 cup (4 ounces) halved mixed olives
1 cup (2 ounces) grated parmesan cheese or hard cheese
1 cup (6 ounces) fresh mozzarella balls, chopped
1/3 cup fresh parsley or basil, optional
1/3 cup red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 to 3 tablespoons juice from pepperoncini jar, optional
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes (check the package for recommended cook time). Drain and rinse well under cold water.
  • While the pasta cooks, in the bottom of a large bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, pepperoncini juice (if using), and the olive oil until blended. Add the drained and rinsed pasta to the dressing and mix well.
  • Stir in the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini (if using), olives, parmesan, mozzarella, and the herbs (if using). Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve or for the best results, cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/10 of the salad, Calories 363, Fat 19.1g, SaturatedFat 5.1g, Cholesterol 18.3mg, Sodium 507.1mg, Carbohydrate 36.6g, Fiber 2.3g, Sugar 2g, Protein 11.7g

TANGY VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD



Tangy Vegetable Pasta Salad image

The variety of ingredients in Wilma Jones' delicious pasta salad will take your taste buds in different directions. "It's surprising how well the zippy citrus and raw vegetable flavors blend," she comments from Mobile, Alabama.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

2-1/4 cups uncooked spiral pasta
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup sliced radishes
1/2 cup chopped peeled cucumber
DRESSING:
1/3 cup spicy hot V8 juice
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1 tablespoon canola oil
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill weed

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the lemon juice to the water. Drain and cool. , In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, green pepper, radishes and cucumber. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 184 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 254mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

BALSAMIC BASIL PASTA SALAD



Balsamic Basil Pasta Salad image

Balsamic Basil Pasta Salad is an delicious, healthy side dish perfect for any potluck, picnic or barbecue!

Provided by Stephanie

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

7 oz (about 2 1/4 cups) dry whole wheat rotini pasta or chickpea pasta if you're gluten-free, cooked (3 1/2 cups cooked pasta)
2 cups grape tomatoes, quartered
1 1/4 cups cucumber, chopped (I like to use an English cucumber for this)
1 1/2 cups orange bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped and soaked in ice water for a few minutes, then drained (this takes some of the bite out)
1 1/4 cup mild (or hot if ya like!) pickled banana pepper rings, drained and chopped
1 can (3.8 oz) sliced black olives, drained
1 (8 oz) block of mozzarella cheese, diced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (or more if you like!)
1/4 cup + 2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dijon or spicy brown mustard
pinch of salt and pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Boil your pasta. While your pasta is cooking, make your dressing. Whisk together the vinegar, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper. While still whisking, drizzle in your olive oil. Once fully combined, set aside.
  • When the pasta is done cooking, drain well then add a few tablespoons of the dressing to the pasta to prevent sticking and refrigerate until cold in a large bowl - this makes about 13 cups so be sure to have a big enough bowl! (Hot Tip: Don't rinse your pasta in cold water after cooking, removing the outer starch can keep the dressing from sticking well to it!)
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the pasta (you may need to give the dressing another good whisking before adding if the oil has separated). You can serve this right away, but it's even better if it can have some time to marinate in the fridge! Once it's refrigerated, I like to let it sit on the counter for a few (the olive oil will thicken in the fridge and setting it out re-liquifies it) then give it a good stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 9 grams fat, ServingSize 1 cup

SWEET AND TANGY SUMMER MACARONI SALAD



Sweet and Tangy Summer Macaroni Salad image

Quick and easy. Tastes best when it sits for a while before serving. I change up the veggies every time I make it, with whatever I have on hand. Carrots and celery work well.

Provided by tojo5

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ cucumber, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
⅔ cup white sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water until macaroni is cooled.
  • Place macaroni into a large salad bowl and stir in tomatoes, green bell pepper, cucumber, and green onion.
  • Whisk sugar, vegetable oil, ketchup, vinegar, salt, paprika, and black pepper, stirring in a bowl until sugar has dissolved. Pour dressing over macaroni and vegetables and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.5 calories, Carbohydrate 33 g, Fat 11.5 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 325.1 mg, Sugar 16.8 g

SWEET AND TANGY PASTA SALAD



Sweet and Tangy Pasta Salad image

June Herke WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA I'm a retired farmwife and one of 16 children. I learned lots about cooking from my mother. This recipe is my version of a much simpler one.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 package (16 ounces) spiral pasta
1 medium cucumber, finely chopped
1 jar (8 ounces) whole baby corn, drained and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 jar (7-1/2 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives
1 cup sliced ripe olives
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
DRESSING:
1 cup canola oil
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cucumber, corn, artichokes, olives, red pepper and onion. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; stir into vegetable mixture. , In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 332 calories, Fat 19g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 330mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

TANGY CATALINA PASTA SALAD



Tangy Catalina Pasta Salad image

A tangy change! All of the vegetables you measure to your taste--you can change the vegetables, too.

Provided by MARBALET

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Shrimp Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (5 ounce) can tuna
1 (6 ounce) can small shrimp, drained
¼ cup chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped
¾ cup chopped celery
1 pinch garlic salt
4 tablespoons Catalina salad dressing
1 ½ tablespoons sweet pickle relish
3 tablespoons mayonnaise

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. Run under cold water to chill, drain again.
  • Toss together pasta, tuna, shrimp, onions, green pepper, celery, garlic salt, salad dressing, and relish. Add enough mayonnaise to thin out dressing, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 331.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Cholesterol 43 mg, Fat 8.3 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 16.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 229.8 mg, Sugar 4.9 g

TANGY PASTA SALAD



Tangy Pasta Salad image

MIRACLE WHIP Dressing gives this bacon and pasta salad its creamy, tangy appeal.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 3h40m

Yield Makes 16 servings, 2/3 cup each.

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon
1 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 pkg. (16 oz.) pasta (such as mostaccioli, macaroni or rotini), cooked, drained
3 carrots, shredded
1 small red or yellow onion, sliced
1 medium green pepper, chopped

Steps:

  • Cook bacon in skillet on medium heat to desired crispness, turning frequently. Drain bacon, reserving 2 Tbsp. of the drippings. Crumble bacon; set aside.
  • Mix reserved drippings, the dressing, sugar and garlic salt in large bowl. Add all remaining ingredients except bacon; mix lightly. Cover.
  • Refrigerate several hours or until chilled. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 250 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 5 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the pasta salad will be. Use fresh vegetables, a good quality balsamic vinegar, and a flavorful olive oil.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and not as flavorful.
  • Let the pasta cool before assembling the salad: This will help to prevent the pasta from sticking together and will also make it easier to toss with the dressing.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make a balsamic pasta salad. Feel free to add or remove ingredients to suit your taste.

Conclusion:

Balsamic pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer picnic, potluck, or weeknight dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover pasta. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a balsamic pasta salad recipe that everyone will enjoy.

Related Topics