I’m a big fan of cold pasta salad recipes, especially during the spring and summer. Filled with colorful veggies and flavor, this dish is a crowd favorite!
What’s not to love about a classic pasta salad? This version is incredibly easy to make, requires minimal cooking, and travels well. Hello convenience. While growing up, we always had a version of this dish at backyard cookouts, birthday parties and family gatherings. It’s a great make-ahead option too, because the flavor will intensify as it chills.
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Cold Pasta Salad is a great way to utilize all the colorful garden veggies that are in season.
We often opt for a mix of fresh broccoli, heirloom cherry tomatoes, red onion and bell peppers – but feel free to substitute where you feel necessary! Are you a fan of olives? Toss those bad boys in! There’s really no right or wrong here.
Personally, I prefer the non-mayo based pasta salad for summer cookouts. It sits well at room temperature and is generally lighter than the creamy mayonnaise version. I love this dish both ways, but prefer skipping the mayo during warmer weather.
- 16 ounces Bowtie Pasta
- 4 - 5 Mini Bell Peppers, sliced
- 2 cups bite-sized Broccoli Florets
- ½ cup Diced Red Onion
- 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz Hard Salami, chopped
- That's Tasty Sun-dried Tomato Puree, as needed
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ - ¾ cup Feta Cheese Crumbles, optional
- Salt + Pepper, to taste
- Cook pasta according to packaged directions for al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, prepare and chop all vegetables and salami.
- Combine pasta, vegetables and salami in a large mixing bowl or platter. Squeeze about 4 - 5 tablespoons, or to taste, of the Sun-dried Tomato Puree over the pasta salad. Add Olive Oil and toss together until everything is coated and mixed together.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator to let flavors blend for at least 2 hours.
- Stir carefully before serving and sprinkle with feta cheese, if desired.
OTHER ITEMS YOU MIGHT LIKE TO ADD OR SWAP INTO YOUR COLD PASTA SALAD:
- Sliced Olives
- Shredded Carrots
- Roasted Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or Pistachios
- Mozzarella Cheese Pearls
- Minced Shallot
- Garlic (or better yet, That’s Tasty Garlic Puree)
To grab your own bottle of That’s Tasty Sun-dried Tomato Puree, check out their flavor finder here. They just added a total of eight different purees to their product line and they’re all seriously amazing. Need some more cookout ideas? Check out a few of my other recipes below for some backyard inspo!
Jordan’s Grilled Chicken Wings
Fully Loaded Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Grilled Peach Salad with Aged Balsamic Vinegar
If you’re looking for more fun recipes, make sure to check out That’s Tasty’s blog too! I just so happen to know their recipe developer and photographer (pssst: it’s ME!) and they’ve got some yummy things you won’t want to miss!
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