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Fresh Dad’s Summer Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Secret Twist for BBQs

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A vibrant and easy summer pasta salad featuring tri-color rotini, fresh veggies, and a tangy dressing with a secret twist of lemon zest and honey. Perfect for BBQs and outdoor gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) tri-color rotini pasta
  • Salt, for boiling water
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of tri-color rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking. Let it drain well for 5 minutes.
  2. While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the black olives. Place all veggies in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest, and 1 minced garlic clove. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk until combined and slightly emulsified.
  4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with veggies. Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss to coat evenly. Use a large spoon or salad tongs to toss without crushing the ingredients.
  5. Let the salad rest for at least 15 minutes in the fridge to allow flavors to meld. Just before serving, toss in chopped fresh basil and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if using.
  6. Give the salad a final gentle toss and transfer to a serving dish. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente texture is key. Rinse pasta in cold water to stop cooking and cool it quickly. Add honey and mustard before olive oil when whisking dressing to emulsify. Soak red onion slices in cold water to mellow sharpness if desired. Toss salad gently to keep veggies crisp. Prepare dressing and chop veggies ahead but keep separate from pasta to avoid sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, summer salad, BBQ side dish, tri-color rotini, lemon zest dressing, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/fresh-dads-summer-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-secret-twist-for-bbqs/