The Summer Garden Pasta Salad is a burst of sunshine in every bite! Made with tender rotini pasta and a medley of colorful, crisp vegetables like cucumbers, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes, it’s tossed in a tangy Italian dressing that ties everything together. Light, refreshing, and full of texture, this salad is ideal for warm-weather meals.
Whether you’re planning a picnic, heading to a backyard BBQ, or just need a fast and tasty weekday lunch, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser. With just 25 minutes of total prep and cook time, it’s a fuss-free dish that looks gorgeous and tastes even better. The chilled pasta and fresh ingredients make it the ultimate go-to side for any summer table.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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12 oz rotini pasta
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 cucumber, diced
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1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
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1 cup broccoli florets, blanched
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1/2 cup shredded carrots
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1/2 cup black olives, sliced
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, broccoli, carrots, and black olives.
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Add the shredded mozzarella and chopped parsley.
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Pour Italian dressing over the salad and toss everything gently to coat.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 310 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
A Burst of Summer on Your Plate: Why You’ll Love This Garden Pasta Salad
Pasta salads have long been the unsung heroes of summer dining, quick to make, easy to customize, and always a hit at gatherings. Among the many variations, Summer Garden Pasta Salad stands out as a vibrant, nutritious, and flavorful dish that celebrates seasonal produce in its purest form. It’s the kind of meal that’s as beautiful as it is tasty, inviting everyone at the table to dig in with enthusiasm.
This chilled pasta salad is built on a foundation of rotini pasta, its spiraled shape ideal for catching every drop of zesty Italian dressing. The dressing, whether homemade or store-bought, brings tangy brightness to the dish, coating the pasta and vegetables in a refreshing and savory blend of herbs, oil, and vinegar. From garden-fresh cherry tomatoes to crisp cucumbers and lightly blanched broccoli florets, each ingredient contributes to a colorful medley of textures and tastes.
The Ingredients That Make It Shine
What makes this recipe such a standout is the balance of flavors and nutrition it offers. Here’s a deeper look into some of the key components:
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Rotini Pasta: This spiral pasta is more than just visually fun, it’s functional. The ridges and curls hold onto the dressing beautifully, ensuring each bite is flavorful.
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Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, cherry tomatoes add a pop of color and a juicy contrast to the firmer vegetables.
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Cucumber: Offering crunch and hydration, cucumber helps keep the dish feeling light and fresh, perfect for hot weather.
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Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onions bring a slight bite, which cuts through the richness of the dressing and cheese.
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Broccoli: Blanching the broccoli preserves its bright green color and makes it tender-crisp, adding bulk and nutrition to the salad.
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Carrots: Shredded carrots introduce a touch of natural sweetness and vibrant orange hue, balancing the salad both visually and in flavor.
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Black Olives: Earthy and slightly salty, olives add depth and complexity, giving the salad a Mediterranean twist.
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Mozzarella Cheese: The soft, shredded mozzarella brings creaminess and mild flavor that complements the tang of the Italian dressing.
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Fresh Parsley: A handful of freshly chopped parsley adds herby freshness, brightening the entire dish.
This recipe is fully vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by omitting the cheese or substituting it with a plant-based version. The beauty of this salad lies in its adaptability, which makes it a great option for nearly any dietary preference or occasion.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
One of the best parts about this pasta salad is how well it stores. In fact, it often tastes better after a few hours or even the next day once the ingredients have had time to absorb the dressing. This makes it an ideal candidate for meal prep or make-ahead potluck contributions.
To store it properly:
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Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
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Stir well before serving, as the dressing may settle at the bottom.
If you’re planning to serve the salad at an outdoor event, keep it chilled until the last moment and use a bowl over ice to help maintain its temperature and freshness.
Make It Your Own: Variations and Add-Ins
While the recipe is perfect as written, don’t be afraid to make it your own. Here are a few simple variations that can take this salad in new and exciting directions:
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Add Protein: Toss in grilled chicken, chickpeas, or cubed tofu for extra protein and to make it a complete meal.
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Use Different Pasta Shapes: Fusilli, penne, or farfalle (bow-tie pasta) all work wonderfully.
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Switch Up the Cheese: Try feta, goat cheese, or even small mozzarella pearls for a different texture and flavor.
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Change the Dressing: Balsamic vinaigrette, lemon-herb dressing, or a Greek-style dressing can change the entire flavor profile.
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Add More Herbs: Basil, dill, or oregano can add a new layer of taste and aroma.
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Go Spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños can introduce a bit of heat.
This kind of flexibility makes the Summer Garden Pasta Salad perfect for using up leftovers or tailoring to personal preferences.
Why It’s a Perfect Dish for Any Occasion
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just preparing a week of quick lunches, this recipe is a reliable staple. It’s portable, scalable, and universally appealing, making it an excellent choice for:
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Picnics: Easy to pack and even easier to eat, it’s perfect for enjoying outdoors.
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BBQs and Cookouts: A refreshing counterbalance to grilled meats and heavier dishes.
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Lunchboxes: A satisfying yet light option that keeps well until noon.
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Potlucks: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that doesn’t require reheating or special equipment.
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Holiday Meals: Adds color and freshness to any holiday buffet or dinner table.
Even beyond special occasions, it’s a great “clean out the fridge” dish, you can throw in that half-used bell pepper, some roasted corn, or the last bit of that parmesan wedge. It’s economical and eco-friendly.
Nutritional Benefits
In addition to being delicious, this pasta salad is a nutritional win, especially when compared to mayo-based salads that often dominate summer tables. Here’s why:
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Lower in Saturated Fat: Using a vinaigrette-based dressing makes it lighter and easier on the stomach.
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Rich in Fiber: Between the vegetables and pasta, you’ll get a good dose of dietary fiber.
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High in Vitamins and Antioxidants: Thanks to ingredients like broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes.
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Customizable for Dietary Needs: Easily adapted to gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan lifestyles.
The addition of vegetables ensures you’re getting a serving of produce with every portion, which helps balance out richer summer dishes like burgers or ribs.
A Go-To Summer Classic
As temperatures rise and appetites wane, cold, crisp, flavorful dishes like this Summer Garden Pasta Salad are exactly what we crave. It’s the kind of food that doesn’t weigh you down yet still satisfies. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but pretty enough for a party. And with its bright colors, diverse textures, and bold flavors, it’s a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Conclusion
Summer Garden Pasta Salad is more than just a side dish; it’s a celebration of seasonal ingredients and laid-back meals. From backyard barbecues to beach picnics, it belongs on every warm-weather menu. Its ease of preparation, visual appeal, and refreshing taste make it a reliable favorite year after year.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just learning your way around the kitchen, this recipe is forgiving, flexible, and incredibly rewarding. So go ahead and boil that pasta, chop those veggies, and toss together something truly spectacular. With this salad in your rotation, summer just got a whole lot more delicious.