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SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA

SAL AD
$8.76 RECIPE / $1.10 SERVING

BUDGET BYTES » RECIPES » PASTA RECIPES » SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD

JUMP TO RECIPE  GROCERY LIST  FAVORITES

As soon as the warm weather of summer rolls around all I want to eat are crunchy
vegetables and cold pasta salad. This Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad is my go-to with a
medley of colorful vegetables, a tangy homemade vinaigrette, and plenty of ways to
customize it based on what I have on hand, or what I’m craving that day. Plus it holds up
great in the fridge, so it’s perfect for meal prep!

Originally posted 6-14-2011, updated 5-22-2021.

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PERF ECT FOR POTLUC KS

This classic vegetable pasta salad is absolutely perfect for potlucks because it makes a huge

batch and it goes with everything. Not to mention it holds up well to travel and is still super
delicious after it’s been sitting on that picnic table for a bit. ;)

VEGETABLE OPTIO NS

I used fresh broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, and parsley, plus threw in some
roasted red peppers for fun. But you can add so many different vegetables to this mix. Here
are a few more options:

Cauliflower
Fresh bell pepper
Black olives
Asparagus (steamed or grilled)
Chopped spinach
Artichokes

OTHER ADD -INS

In addition to swapping out some of the vegetables, you can experiment with adding other
ingredients to this salad to either add more flavor or make it into a full meal. Here are a few
ideas:

Grilled chicken (Yogurt Marinated Chicken or Garlic Marinated Chicken)

Garlic Butter Shrimp
Parmesan cheese
Toasted pita bread
Feta cheese
Salami
Mozzarella cubes or pearls

DRESSING OPTION S

The recipe below includes a really basic tangy vinaigrette, but if you don’t have a well
stocked pantry and want to buy a bottled dressing for this salad, any basic Italian dressing
will do well. You could also choose something like a Caesar dressing (not creamy-style) or a
Greek vinaigrette.
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SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA

SALAD
This light and fresh Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad is
perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks, or your weekly
meal prep.
TOTAL COST: $8.76 recipe / $1.10 serving
AUTHOR: Beth – Budget Bytes
PREP TIME: 20 mins
PRINT RECIPE 
COOK TIME: 15 mins
GROCERY LIST 
TOTAL TIME: 35 mins
SERVINGS: 8 1.5 cups each FAVORITES

INGREDIENTS 4.86 from 27 votes

VINAIGRETTE
 1/2 cup olive oil ($1.28)
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1/3 cup red wine vinegar ($0.53)
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard ($0.10)
1 tsp dried oregano ($0.10)
1 clove garlic, minced ($0.08)
3/4 tsp salt ($0.03)
1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.02)

SALAD

12 oz. bowtie pasta ($0.79)

2 Roma tomatoes ($0.63)
1 yellow squash ($0.75)
1 zucchini ($0.85)
1 broccoli crown ($1.07)
1/2 red onion ($0.19)
1 12oz. jar roasted red peppers ($1.99)
1/2 cup chopped parsley ($0.35)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the vinaigrette first. Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon,
oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set the dressing aside.
2. Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package directions (boil 7-10 minutes or
until tender), then drain in a colander. Rinse briefly to cool the pasta, then let it
drain well.
3. While the pasta is cooking and draining, prepare the vegetables. Chop the
tomatoes, squash, zucchini, broccoli, and parsley. Slice the roasted red peppers
(drained) and the red onion.
4. Place the pasta and chopped vegetables in the largest bowl you have. Give the
vinaigrette a brief whisk, then pour it over the salad. Stir the pasta and vegetables
until everything is coated in dressing. Give it a taste and add salt or pepper, if
needed. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to eat.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.

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NUTRITION
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・ Calories: 330 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 42 g ・ Protein: 9 g ・ Fat: 15 g
Serving: 1.5 cups
・ Sodium: 856 mg ・ Fiber: 5 g
Nutritional values are estimates only. See our full nutrition disclaimer here.

EQUIPMENT

Chef’s Knife

White Cutting Boards

Liquid Measuring Cup

The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products we use and love. As an
Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
HOW TO MAKE SUM M ER VEGETABLE PASTA 
SAL AD – STEP BY STEP PHOTO S

Make the dressing first. Whisk together ½ cup olive oil, ⅓ cup red wine vinegar, 1 Tbsp Dijon
mustard, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 clove of minced garlic, ¾ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked
black pepper. Set the dressing aside.
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Cook 12oz. bowtie pasta (or other short shaped pasta) according to the package directions
(boil until tender, drain in a colander). Give the pasta a quick rise to cool it off, then let it
drain well.
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While the pasta is cooking and draining, prepare the rest of the vegetables. Chop two Roma
tomatoes, one yellow squash, one zucchini, and drain and slice one jar of roasted red
peppers.
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Chop one crown of broccoli into small bite-sized florets and slice ½ of a red onion. Roughly
chop ½ cup parsley (not pictured).
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When the pasta is cool and drained and all the vegetables chopped, it’s time to assemble the
salad. Place everything in the largest bowl or container you have, give the vinaigrette a quick
whisk, then pour it over the pasta and vegetables.
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Stir until everything is really well coated in dressing. Give it a taste and add salt or pepper if
needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. Make sure to give it a stir after
refrigerating and just before serving to redistribute the dressing.
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POSTED ON MAY 22, 2021 IN DAIRY FREE RECIPES, EGG 91 COMMENTS »

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91 COMMENTS ON “ SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA SA L A D”

« Older Comments

AMY —
06.20.21 @ 12:10 PM REPLY

Ao delicious! I also was nervous about using zucchini and broccoli uncooked but it
was delicious. We added some cheese and basil from our garden. So glad I made
double the recipe!

EMILEIGH W —
06.14.21 @ 11:15 AM REPLY

This was actually really yummy! I meal prepped this for my lunches this week and
while I used a store bought italian vinaigrette, it still was really delicious. I never ate
zucchini or squash raw before, so I was a bit skeptical at first, but it actually turned
out so good! 10/10 will definitely be making this again!
 *also side note* I absolutely love this website and the recipes and I’ve been a fan for

a few years now. I search through for recipes before every grocery shopping trip and
I don’t think there was a recipe on here that I tried and didn’t like. All are so fantastic!
:)

SARAH —
05.30.21 @ 5:42 PM REPLY

This is soooo good!! Thank you. Tastes even better the next day!

LUNAR ROSHUI GHOR —

05.25.21 @ 1:16 PM REPLY

SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD is my favorite salad. i made this tonight.

« Older Comments

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