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Fresh Family Picnic Pasta Salad

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A fresh, easy-to-make pasta salad perfect for summer picnics that holds up well in the heat with crisp veggies and a zesty dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • ½ cup red onion, minced
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella or small fresh mozzarella balls (optional)
  • ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain well in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles. Let them drain thoroughly.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together ⅓ cup olive oil, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  3. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup cucumber, finely chop ½ cup red bell pepper, and mince ½ cup red onion. Prepare olives and mozzarella if using.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped veggies, olives, mozzarella, and ½ cup chopped fresh parsley. Pour the dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Toss again and adjust seasoning before serving.

Notes

Rinse pasta immediately after boiling to stop cooking and prevent sogginess. Make dressing in advance for better flavor. Toss gently to avoid bruising veggies and cheese. Can be made gluten-free by swapping pasta and vegan by omitting or substituting mozzarella.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, picnic salad, summer salad, rotini pasta, easy pasta salad, family recipe, picnic recipe, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/fresh-family-picnic-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-to-make-and-perfect-for-summer-heat/