Chilled Tri-Colored Vegetable Pasta Salad
This Chilled Tri-Colored Vegetable Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer dish that offers a refreshing and satisfying meal, perfect for warm days. Featuring vibrant tri-colored pasta tossed with crunchy bell peppers, zesty onion, and a tangy low-fat Italian dressing, this salad is not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor. It serves wonderfully as a light lunch, a side for summer barbecues, or even as a hearty main dish when served cold. Enjoy it at picnics, potlucks, or simply as a meal prep option to keep you cool during the hot months. The delightful combination of vegetables and pasta will leave you craving more, but be careful—it might just disappear before your eyes!
6
Servings
144
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tri-Colored Pasta
1 lb (uncooked)
Italian Dressing
8 ounces (your favorite (preferably Kraft Zesty Low Fat))
Green Pepper
1 (chopped)
Red Pepper
1 (chopped)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Parmesan Cheese
2 ounces (grated)
Instructions
1
1. In a large pot, bring 1 gallon (16 cups) of cold water to a rapid boil. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt to season the water, but do not add oil.
2
2. Once boiling, add the tri-colored pasta and no lid. Monitor the pot and stir the pasta after 1 minute.
3
3. Continue to check the pasta for doneness starting at the 4-minute mark, cooking until 'al dente' (about 8 to 12 minutes total).
4
4. Once cooked to desired tenderness, drain the pasta in a colander and do not rinse. Let it cool for about an hour in the refrigerator.
5
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped green pepper, red pepper, onion, Italian dressing, and grated Parmesan cheese.
6
6. After the pasta has cooled, add it to the mixing bowl with the vegetables and dressing. Toss gently until everything is well combined.
7
7. Refrigerate the mixture for an additional 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.
8
8. Enjoy your refreshing Chilled Tri-Colored Vegetable Pasta Salad as a delightful meal or side dish!
Nutrition Information
4.8g
Fat
21g
Carbs
5.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chilled Tri-Colored Vegetable Pasta Salad?
It is a refreshing summer dish featuring tri-colored pasta, bell peppers, onions, and a tangy Italian dressing, served cold.
Is this pasta salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it consists of pasta, vegetables, cheese, and Italian dressing.
Is this recipe considered low cholesterol?
Yes, the recipe is categorized as a Low Cholesterol dish.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 144 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 4.8g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 21g of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this pasta salad provide?
Each serving provides 5.5g of protein.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of tri-colored pasta.
How much water is needed to boil the pasta?
You should use 1 gallon, or 16 cups, of cold water.
Should I add salt or oil to the pasta water?
Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt to season the water, but do not add oil.
How long should the pasta be cooked?
The pasta should be cooked until 'al dente', which typically takes between 8 and 12 minutes.
When should I start checking the pasta for doneness?
Start checking the pasta at the 4-minute mark.
Should I rinse the pasta after draining?
No, do not rinse the pasta after draining it in a colander.
How long should the pasta cool in the refrigerator?
Let the pasta cool in the refrigerator for about one hour after draining.
What vegetables are needed for this recipe?
You will need one green pepper, one red pepper, and one medium onion.
How should the vegetables be prepared?
The green pepper, red pepper, and onion should all be chopped.
What kind of Italian dressing is recommended?
A tangy low-fat Italian dressing is recommended, specifically Kraft Zesty Low Fat.
How much Italian dressing is required?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of Italian dressing.
What kind of cheese is used in this salad?
The recipe uses 2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese.
When do I mix the dressing and vegetables?
While the pasta is cooling, combine the chopped peppers, onion, dressing, and Parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl.
How long should the final mixture sit before serving?
Refrigerate the completed mixture for an additional 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Is this a good dish for summer barbecues?
Yes, it is a perfect side dish for summer barbecues, picnics, and potlucks.
Can this be used for meal prep?
Yes, it is an excellent meal prep option to keep you cool during hot months.
What size onion should I use?
Use one medium-sized onion.
Should the pasta be cooked with a lid on the pot?
No, the instructions specify to cook the pasta with no lid.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 6 main ingredients: pasta, dressing, green pepper, red pepper, onion, and Parmesan cheese.
Is there any sugar or sodium information available?
No, the specific sugar and sodium counts are not provided in the data.
What is the recommended preparation for the peppers?
The peppers should be chopped before being added to the salad.
How should the salad be served?
It should be served chilled as a light lunch, side dish, or hearty main dish.