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Easy Summer Pasta Salad Recipe Perfect for BBQs and Picnics

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A glossy, fresh pasta salad featuring rotini or fusilli, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, mozzarella, and a bright lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect for summer BBQs and picnics, it stays fresh and lively even under the sun.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 medium bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini size), drained
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or fusilli and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and bell pepper, and finely chop red onion if using. Roughly chop basil and parsley. Set all aside.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. In a large bowl, combine drained pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, mozzarella balls, and fresh herbs. Pour dressing over salad and gently toss with a spatula or large spoon to coat evenly, being gentle with the cheese.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and pasta soak up the dressing.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Use a light hand with dressing to keep pasta glossy, not greasy. Add fresh herbs just before serving for best flavor and color. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. For dairy-free, swap mozzarella with marinated tofu or omit cheese and add more olives or nuts. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer pasta salad, BBQ pasta salad, easy pasta salad, picnic salad, rotini pasta salad, fresh mozzarella salad, lemon olive oil dressing

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/easy-summer-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-bbqs-and-picnics/