This zesty summer pasta salad is the perfect dish to take to all your upcoming summer get-togethers and outings. It’s a cold pasta salad with zesty Italian dressing and sure to be a big hit!
There are certain recipes that will remind you of happier times. Like summers ago with your entire family around a grill, jumping in and out of the pool all day, and running around without a care in the world. It’s up to you whether your children will have those same magical memories now. Though it seems like a big feat at times, sometimes food elicits memories of what made it special. By focusing in on those memories, you can remember how to make it special for your own littles.
This homemade pasta salad is one of those recipes for me. To me, it’s the best pasta salad because of those memories. It’s one very similar to what my aunt used to make at every single summer cookout we had. This easy pasta salad recipe is also one of the few ways my mom could get me to eat vegetables as a child. Since moving to New Jersey though, I see my family less, so I needed to learn to make this Italian pasta salad myself.
How to make homemade Italian pasta salad
For this delicious cold pasta salad recipe there’s just 5 ingredients + the Italian salad dressing. You can choose to buy bottled zesty Italian dressing or we share our zesty pasta salad dressing recipe below. For this vegan pasta salad you need cooked pasta (we use angel hair), cherry tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and zesty Italian dressing.
The most difficult part of this entire dish is cooking the pasta for 8 minutes. So, if you can cook pasta, you can make this recipe. Add everything to a big bowl and stir, stir, stir, until everything is mixed together well. Refrigerate and done! It’s really that simple to make this summer pasta salad.
Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
Zesty Summer Pasta Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
This zesty summer pasta salad is the perfect dish to take to all your upcoming summer get-togethers and outings. It's a cold pasta salad with zesty Italian dressing and sure to be a big hit!
Course:
Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine:
American, Italian
Servings: 16 people
Calories: 188 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb angel hair pasta
- 2 cups homemade Zesty Italian Dressing (recipe below)
- 1/2 cup carrots, grated (approximately 4-6 large carrots)
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups cauliflower, finely chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to the boxed instructions.
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Drain and transfer pasta to a large bowl.
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Add remaining ingredients, except the tomatoes.
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Stir until very well combined.
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Add in the halved cherry tomatoes and give a quick toss (not too much, you don't want to over work the tomatoes).
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Chill in the refrigerate at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
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Refrigerate any remaining pasta salad for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Dressing Recipe
In a large bottle or bowl, combine the following, shake or stir very well. Then, ready for use. Refrigerate any leftovers.
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- juice from half a lemon
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/8 cup red onion, finally chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Nutrition Facts
Zesty Summer Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 188
Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Sodium 305mg13%
Potassium 222mg6%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 875IU18%
Vitamin C 19.6mg24%
Calcium 21mg2%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Pin this Zesty Summer Pasta Salad Recipe for later!
This post was originally published on 5/21/2014. Same great recipe but our photography skills have greatly improved. Here’s some of the original photos.
We're Parents is a unique mom and dad natural parenting blog focusing on topics such as breastfeeding, babywearing, and car seat safety. You'll also find Delicious recipes, inspired travel recommendations, and more as you journey with us through parenting. 
summer pasta salads are my favorite go-do dish when I don't want to turn on the oven. LOVE your recipe, Larisha!