Best 4 Zesty Grilled Zucchini Pasta Salad Recipes

Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable Zesty Grilled Zucchini Pasta Salad, a refreshing and vibrant dish that tantalizes your taste buds. Grilled zucchini and tender spiralized zucchini noodles intertwine harmoniously, creating a textural delight. This salad bursts with zesty flavors, thanks to a tangy lemon-herb dressing that complements the natural sweetness of the zucchini. Feta cheese crumbles add a touch of salty creaminess, while pine nuts provide a nutty crunch. With a burst of freshness from chopped parsley and a hint of garlic, this salad is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll also discover a treasure trove of other tantalizing recipes that will elevate your culinary repertoire. From the classic Caesar salad with its creamy, garlicky dressing to the hearty and flavorful Tuscan kale salad, each recipe is a testament to the versatility of zucchini.

Zucchini steals the spotlight in our Zucchini Ribbon Salad, where thin zucchini ribbons are tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing, creating a refreshing and colorful side dish. If you're craving a warm and comforting meal, try our Zucchini Noodle Soup, a delightful broth-based soup brimming with zucchini noodles, vegetables, and tender chicken.

For a delightful vegetarian main course, our Zucchini and Ricotta Stuffed Shells are a must-try. These jumbo shells are filled with a savory mixture of zucchini, ricotta cheese, and herbs, then smothered in a rich tomato sauce.

And for those with a sweet tooth, our Zucchini Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting is a divine treat that showcases the zucchini's subtly sweet flavor. With its moist crumb and luscious cream cheese frosting, this bread is sure to satisfy your cravings.

With our comprehensive collection of zucchini recipes, you'll have an arsenal of culinary creations that showcase the versatility and deliciousness of this humble vegetable. So get ready to embark on a flavorful adventure and elevate your meals with the goodness of zucchini.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

ZESTY GRILLED ZUCCHINI PASTA SALAD

Zesty Grilled Zucchini Pasta Salad image

Recipe was printed on one of those recipe cards from the grocery store. I really liked the flavors of this dish and used it as a main dish by adding some grilled chicken too. I used an indoor grill pan but of course this would work on an outdoor grill too. Note 4-8 hours of marinading of veggies is needed to really get the flavors Hope you enjoy it too!

Provided by HokiesMom

Categories Vegetable

Time 4h20m

Yield 4-6 , 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

3 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch rounds
1 red onion, cut into thick wedges
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into quarters
1/2 cup light balsamic vinaigrette
1 (14 ounce) package penne, pasta (tubular, use multi-grain or whole-wheat)
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper
1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Steps:

Place zucchini, onion, red bell pepper and vinaigrette in a large resealable bag. Seal bag and refrigerate 4-8 hours, turning occasionally.
Boil 4 quarts of water and cook Penne pasta to al dente, about 8-10 minutes (according to package directions).
Preheat grill to medium (300-350F/150-180C). Remove veggies from marinade and reserve marinade. Place veggies on a veggie grill rack and grill covered for 8-10 minutes, turning once. Remove from grill and cut into bite-size pieces.
Drain pasta, transfer to a deep serving platter/dish. Spoon veggies over pasta and drizzle with reserved marinade. (I heated the marinade for a bit in the microwave to warm before drizzling over the pasta & veggies).
Season dish with salt & pepper to taste (I used McCormick's Garlic Pepper Grinder instead) and sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 513.4, Fat 9.9, SaturatedFat 4.8, Cholesterol 22, Sodium 403.9, Carbohydrate 89.8, Fiber 14, Sugar 6.8, Protein 19.7

ZUCCHINI PESTO PASTA SALAD RECIPE BY TASTY

Zucchini Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: fresh basil leaf, fresh parsley, fresh chives, pine nuts, small garlic clove, lemon juice, kosher salt, vegetable oil, Walmart Zucchinis, spinach, red wine vinegar, penne pasta, medium lemon, caper, fresh mozzarella cheese, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, fresh basil

Provided by Walmart

Categories Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaf, loosely packed
1 cup fresh parsley, loosely packed
½ cup fresh chives, cut into 2 in (5 cm) pieces, loosely packed
¼ cup pine nuts
1 small garlic clove
2 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup vegetable oil
2 Walmart Zucchinis, medium, sliced in 1/4 in (6 mm) in rounds
1 cup spinach, roughly chopped, loosely packed
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 lb penne pasta, cooked according to package instructions, drained, and still warm
1 medium lemon
1 ½ tablespoons caper
6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into bite-size pieces
¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ cup fresh basil, torn

Steps:

Make the pesto: Add the basil, parsley, chives, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, and salt to a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend on high speed, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed, until well combined, 1-2 minutes.
Make the zucchini pasta salad: Heat the vegetable oil in a large, high-walled skillet over high heat. Working in batches, fry the zucchini rounds in a single layer for 1-1½ minutes per side, until the outside is golden brown but the zucchini is still slightly crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, blotting away any excess oil.
Transfer the zucchini to a large serving bowl. Add the spinach and red wine vinegar, and toss gently to combine. Add the penne, pesto, lemon zest, capers, and mozzarella, and fold gently until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with the basil leaves and serve slightly warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Enjoy!

SPICY GRILLED ZUCCHINI

Spicy Grilled Zucchini image

This mildly spicy dish from southern Italy can serve as an appetizer or side. Cut the zucchini on the diagonal into long, thin slices, or cut it lengthwise.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories quick, weekday, side dish

Time 5m

Yield Serves four

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 pound zucchini, cut on the diagonal or lengthwise in thin slices
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Salt
freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more to taste)
1 tablespoon slivered fresh mint or basil
1 lemon, cut in half

Steps:

Prepare a medium-hot grill. Season the zucchini with salt and pepper, and toss with the olive oil. Grill on each side until the slices are tender and there are light marks on the sides. Transfer to a platter, and sprinkle with the red pepper flakes and the herbs. Douse with lemon juice if desired, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 85, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 318 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SALAD

Italian Spaghetti Salad image

This attractive, fresh-tasting spaghetti salad can conveniently be made the night before. It makes enough for a crowd! -Lucia Johnson, Massena, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) thin spaghetti, halved
3 medium tomatoes, diced
3 small zucchini, diced
1 large cucumber, halved, seeded and diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 bottle (8 ounces) Italian salad dressing
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1-1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber and peppers. , Combine remaining ingredients; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 168mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

Choose the right zucchini: Select firm and small zucchini with deep green color. Avoid large and overripe ones as they tend to be watery and less flavorful.
Grill the zucchini properly: Grilling adds a delightful smoky flavor to the zucchini. Make sure to preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the zucchini until it has nice grill marks and is tender but still slightly firm.
Use a flavorful marinade: The marinade helps infuse the zucchini with delicious flavors. Experiment with different herbs, spices, and oils to create a marinade that suits your taste. Use extra virgin olive oil for best results, as it adds a rich flavor and health benefits.
Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, which means it should be tender but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta becomes mushy and loses its texture.
Add fresh herbs: Fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or cilantro add a pop of color and freshness to the salad. Chop them finely and sprinkle them over the salad just before serving.

Conclusion:

Zesty Grilled Zucchini Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines the smoky flavor of grilled zucchini with the tangy dressing and al dente pasta. It's a perfect side dish for grilled meats or fish, or it can be served as a main course for a light and healthy meal. Experiment with different marinades and toppings to create your own unique version of this delicious salad.