Vibrant Garden Pasta Salad
Enjoy the colorful medley of flavors in this Vibrant Garden Pasta Salad, a perfect dish for summer gatherings, picnics, or a light family dinner. With a delightful mix of tri-color pasta, fresh vegetables, and zesty dressing, this salad not only excites the palate but also brings a pop of color to your table. Tossed together with olives, cheese, and pepperoni, it strikes the perfect balance of hearty and refreshing. It's an ideal option for meal prep as it stores well in the fridge, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3/4 cup
Red Wine Vinegar
3/4 cup
Sugar
1/4 cup
Salt
1 teaspoon
Oregano
1 tablespoon
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Tri-Color Pasta
1 lb (cooked and cooled)
Red Onion
1/2 cup (sliced into ribbons)
Multi-Colored Cherry Tomatoes
2 cups (diced)
Green Pepper
1 cup (diced)
Kale
1 cup (chopped and massaged in a little oil)
Black Olives
1/2 cup
Yellow Banana Pepper Rings
1/2 cup (jarred)
Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 lb (cubed)
Mini Pepperoni
1/2 lb (sliced)
Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, oregano, and pepper until the sugar is fully dissolved to create the dressing. Set aside.
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tri-color pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool.
3
In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the sliced red onion, diced cherry tomatoes, diced green pepper, massaged kale, black olives, banana pepper rings, cubed mozzarella cheese, and mini pepperoni slices.
4
Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything gently until well combined, ensuring all ingredients are coated evenly.
5
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled and enjoy the colorful burst of flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibrant Garden Pasta Salad?
It is a colorful medley of flavors featuring tri-color pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing, perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or meal prep.
What kind of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of tri-color pasta, which should be cooked according to package directions until al dente.
How do I make the dressing for the salad?
Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, oregano, and pepper until the sugar is fully dissolved.
What vegetables are included in the Vibrant Garden Pasta Salad?
The salad includes red onion, multi-colored cherry tomatoes, green pepper, massaged kale, and black olives.
Can I use regular pasta instead of tri-color pasta?
Yes, you can substitute regular pasta, but tri-color pasta is used to provide the signature vibrant appearance.
How should the kale be prepared for this salad?
The kale should be chopped and massaged in a little oil to soften its texture before being added to the mixing bowl.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is an ideal option for meal prep because it stores well and the flavors meld together beautifully in the fridge.
How long should the pasta salad chill before serving?
It is recommended to refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld properly.
How can I make this pasta salad vegetarian?
To make this a vegetarian dish, simply omit the mini pepperoni slices.
What types of cheese are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 1/2 lb of cubed mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Should the pasta be rinsed after cooking?
Yes, after draining, rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down immediately and stop the cooking process.
What kind of vinegar is best for the dressing?
Red wine vinegar is specifically called for to give the dressing its zesty and tangy flavor profile.
Can I use a different type of oil?
The recipe uses extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor, which complements the Mediterranean-style ingredients.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
This Vibrant Garden Pasta Salad contains 16 ingredients in total.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This salad is served chilled, making it a refreshing option for summer meals.
What kind of meat is added to the salad?
The recipe uses 1/2 lb of mini pepperoni slices to add a savory and hearty element.
How should leftovers be stored?
Leftovers should be covered and stored in the refrigerator, where the flavors will continue to develop.
Why is it called 'Vibrant Garden' pasta salad?
It earns its name from the pop of color provided by the tri-color pasta, multi-colored tomatoes, and fresh garden vegetables.
Can I use fresh oregano instead of dried?
Yes, you can use fresh oregano, though the recipe specifies 1 tablespoon which usually implies the dried version.
How should the red onion be prepared?
The red onion should be sliced into thin ribbons to ensure it distributes well throughout the salad.
Can I substitute the cherry tomatoes?
While multi-colored cherry tomatoes are used for variety, any diced fresh tomato will work as a substitute.
What are the main flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish is a balance of hearty pasta, savory cheese and meat, and a zesty, refreshing vinaigrette.
Are there banana peppers in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of jarred yellow banana pepper rings are included for a tangy kick.
Should the mozzarella be shredded or cubed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of mozzarella cheese to be cubed into small pieces.
What size should the pepperoni be?
Mini pepperoni slices are recommended for the best texture and distribution in the salad.
Is there sugar in the dressing?
Yes, 1/4 cup of sugar is used to balance the acidity of the red wine vinegar in the dressing.
How do I ensure the dressing is well-mixed?
Whisk the dressing ingredients until the sugar is fully dissolved before pouring it over the salad.
Is this recipe good for picnics?
Absolutely, it is specifically described as a perfect dish for picnics and summer gatherings.
When should I add the parmesan cheese?
The grated parmesan cheese is added to the large serving bowl along with the other ingredients before tossing with the dressing.
How should the green pepper be prepared?
The green pepper should be diced before being added to the pasta and other vegetable ingredients.