Chilled Garden Fresh Pasta Salad
As the summer heat reaches its peak, this Chilled Garden Fresh Pasta Salad offers a refreshing and colorful way to enjoy seasonal vegetables. Bursting with vibrant flavors from fresh herbs and crunchy garden veggies, this dish is not only a feast for the eyes but also a healthy, energizing meal. It's perfect for those scorching days when you want to keep the kitchen cool while still serving up something delicious. This pasta salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, or simply as a hearty vegetarian option. Enjoy it as a light lunch or a delightful side dish at your next summer gathering!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
rotini pasta
2 cups (dry)
water
as needed (for cooking pasta)
salt
1 dash (for pasta water)
olive oil
1 dash (for pasta water)
carrots
2 medium (julienned)
red bell pepper
1 medium (1/2 inch diced)
fresh green beans
1 cup (ends trimmed and halved)
fresh peas
2 tablespoons (fresh or frozen)
spring onions or scallions
3 (chopped)
roma tomatoes
2 (chopped)
extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons
red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
minced garlic
1 teaspoon
mustard
1 teaspoon
capers
1-2 teaspoons (optional)
fresh parsley
2 teaspoons (chopped)
fresh tarragon
1 teaspoon (chopped)
sugar
1 teaspoon
salt & fresh ground pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
1. Begin by cooking the rotini pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions, usually around 10 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it; you want it al dente. To prevent sticking, add a dash of olive oil to the boiling water.
2
2. While the pasta cooks, prepare your vegetables. If you have a bamboo steamer, steam the julienned carrots, fresh peas, and green beans for about 5 minutes until just tender. Alternatively, you can parboil them in boiling water for a few minutes until softened slightly.
3
3. Once the pasta is done, drain it in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
4
4. Add the steamed carrots, green beans, and peas to the bowl with the pasta. Then, incorporate the diced red bell pepper, chopped green onions/scallions, and chopped roma tomatoes.
5
5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing: extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, mustard, capers (if using), chopped parsley, chopped tarragon, sugar, and a pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper.
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6. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
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7. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully, making each bite incredibly tasty.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chilled Garden Fresh Pasta Salad?
It is a refreshing and colorful summer dish bursting with vibrant flavors from fresh herbs and crunchy garden vegetables, perfect for hot days.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of dry rotini pasta, cooked al dente.
Is this pasta salad vegetarian?
Yes, this dish is a hearty vegetarian option featuring fresh garden vegetables.
How long should I cook the rotini pasta?
You should cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package instructions, which is usually around 10 minutes.
How can I prevent the pasta from sticking together?
Add a dash of olive oil to the boiling water while the pasta is cooking to prevent sticking.
What vegetables are needed for this salad?
The salad includes carrots, red bell pepper, fresh green beans, fresh peas, spring onions, and roma tomatoes.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The recipe specifies using two medium carrots that are julienned.
Can I use frozen peas instead of fresh peas?
Yes, you can use either 2 tablespoons of fresh or frozen peas.
How should I cook the green beans and carrots?
You can steam them in a bamboo steamer for about 5 minutes or parboil them in boiling water until just tender.
Why do I need to rinse the pasta in cold water?
Rinsing under cold water stops the cooking process immediately and cools the pasta down for the salad.
What is the size for the red bell pepper pieces?
The red bell pepper should be diced into 1/2 inch pieces.
What ingredients make up the dressing?
The dressing consists of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, mustard, capers, parsley, tarragon, sugar, salt, and pepper.
What kind of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
Are capers required for this recipe?
No, 1-2 teaspoons of capers are optional based on your preference.
Which fresh herbs are used in the salad?
The salad uses fresh chopped parsley and fresh chopped tarragon.
How long should the salad chill in the refrigerator?
It should chill for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
What can I serve with this pasta salad?
It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, or can be served as a standalone light lunch.
Is there sugar in the dressing recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is included to balance the dressing flavors.
How many spring onions are used?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped spring onions or scallions.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe recommends using 2 chopped roma tomatoes.
How much garlic is in the dressing?
One teaspoon of minced garlic is used in the dressing.
Can I use regular olive oil for the dressing?
The recipe specifies 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
How many ingredients total are in this salad?
There are 19 ingredients included in this comprehensive recipe.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Common tags include pasta salad, vegetarian, summer recipes, easy meals, fresh vegetables, no-cook, and healthy eating.
Should the vegetables be fully cooked or crunchy?
The vegetables should be steamed or parboiled until just tender, maintaining some of their garden-fresh crunch.
How do I combine the dressing and the pasta?
Whisk the dressing ingredients in a separate small bowl first, then pour over the pasta and vegetables and toss gently.
What is the texture of the pasta for this dish?
The pasta should be cooked al dente, meaning it is firm to the bite.
Is this a healthy meal choice?
Yes, it is described as a healthy and energizing meal full of fresh vegetables.
Can I use tarragon in this recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh tarragon is part of the herb profile for the dressing.
Does the recipe include instructions for the pasta water?
Yes, you should use as much water as needed and include a dash of salt and olive oil.